SKIPTON Auction Mart has issued details of the latest situation surrounding the impact coronavirus is having on its livestock sales.

This is a run-down of what is happening at the mart following the ongoing implementation of Covid-19 restrictions.

Because of risks involving social distancing and following DEFRA directives, all livestock shows have been cancelled until further notice.

These include live sales of breeding cattle and which also include dairy, and breeding sheep, as well as ewes with lambs at foot, plus weekly Monday produce sales.

Also on hold are all pedigree fixtures, working sheep dog and poultry sales, along with seasonal Agri-Trader Auctions.

As a direct result, Craven Cattle Marts will now be trading all classes of breeding stock on a farm-to-farm basis. Vendors are asked to contact the mart office or ask any of the auctioneers to register breeding stock for sale.

Prospective purchasers are also requested to do likewise and register their requirements with the mart.

All stock will be listed on the farm-to-farm sales page at www.ccmauctions.com and via the mart’s social media channels.

On a positive note, the auctions which are still on are sales of prime stock and store cattle which remain unaffected.

Weekly Monday sales of calves continue at 10.45am, followed by prime and cast cattle at 12noon.

Prime and cast sheep are at 1pm.

Fortnightly Wednesday store cattle sales – young feeding bulls at 9am, beef feeding cattle 11.30am, store heifers and bullocks 12.30pm.

A report on this week’s sale will appear in next week’s Herald.

Monthly Saturday livestock collective sales of store cattle only – no sheep or goats – from 10am.

The next sale is this Saturday, with up to150 head anticipated.

Here again, there will be a report in next week’s paper.

For vendors there are important conditions: All are drop and go sales.

Vendors delivering livestock to the docks must not leave their vehicle for unloading and must depart immediately after providing and handing over completed paperwork with clear instructions.

A new entry form is now in place – see www.ccmauctions.com for full details.

In addition, sellers who may be self-isolating and need to sell livestock should contact the auctioneers to discuss how they might best be able to facilitate this without their attendance.

For buyers, access to any sale ring is through a designated control point with entry only for buyers who first register. Security staff will be on hand to issue passes and assist with any queries.

Buyers are recommended to double up with other buyers to reduce numbers who attend.

Buyers aged over 70 or with underlying health problems who do not wish to attend sales, but require stock to be purchased should contact one of the auctioneers to make appropriate arrangements.

Both vendors delivering livestock to the docks and buyers must not attend if they believe that they or their close contacts are vulnerable to Covid-19, as defined in Government guidelines.

“We urge vendors to keep in touch with auctioneers to determine buyer attendance and questions on trade, as both demand and prices are changing by the day,” stressed CCM Skipton’s general manager Jeremy Eaton.

Full details on all measures now in place to reduce the risk can also be found in online catalogues, as can sale entry forms and further information.

Again, the mart advises those with any questions to contact one of the auctioneers.

The keynote message from Skipton Auction Mart rings loud and clear: ‘Stay safe and keep Britain farming’.

Mr Eaton reiterated: “In this time of national crisis, there are two main priorities. First and foremost is to protect public health, which means reducing the number of Covid-19 infections and managing NHS resources.

“Secondly, it is absolutely essential that livestock markets continue to act as the hub for livestock sales as they are able to react to price and supply in an instantaneous and dynamic way.

“However, while we seek to continue to supply the food chain and help feed the nation this must clearly be achieved in a safe environment for both customers and staff alike and we thank both for adapting as we enforce these key priorities.”