Farmers see high prices at livestock market

When most 18-year-olds are using their savings to purchase the latest gadgets and trendy fashion, Clarendon teen Donald Buckley is using his to invest in farming.

From 4 a.m., the Central High School sixth-form student left his Sangster's Heights home to take on the cold and foggy two-hour journey to the animal market in British, Crofts Hill, in the parish.

"Mi see mi father a raise goat from mi likkle so mi like it. Mi always follow him and mi uncle from mi small come buy animals, so mi save up some money and mi father give mi some as well suh mi just come buy three goats and mi feel good," he said.

While preparing for his upcoming Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations, Buckley said he has his eyes set on purchasing a cow and adding more goats to his farm.

"Animal rearing is a good business to go in. I like it because I have seen my father and uncle do it and take care of their family. There is always going to be a space in the market for goat and cows," he said.

Buckley is one of more than 100 men who journeyed the extremely rocky road to either sell or purchase goats or cattle at British. There are no cash registers or enclosed spaces, just clean and pristine air. The British market is one of Clarendon's most historical markets, and was established by slaves over 300 years ago. On Saturday, farmers, many of whom appeared to be under 40, stood with their animals in small groups while potential customers observed their livestock.

One vendor even used the opportunity to try selling Clarks and denim jeans. THE STAR came across several disgruntled butchers who stated that with Christmas being less than two weeks away, the prices for the animals have increased drastically.

"Right now mi deh here fi buy over a dozen goats but mi can't do it because the goat dem a sell for cow prices. The prices are usually more expensive during Christmas but this year dem deal with we rough. Look pon da likkle cow deh over deso whe look like him need fi eat a entire pasture a grass. Mi ask di owner how much fi it and him say $180,000, so mi can't buy that because mi nago can sell back di meat," the butcher said.

Another buyer stated that the prices of animals have jumped by as much as 40 per cent, but he somewhat understands.

"Everything gone up at this time a di year still such as feeding and so forth. I am not going to say that the prices have to be so high but tings expensive. Mi did want a cow still but mi nuh have enough money, so mi a gwan wait and see if anyone else ago come with more reasonable price," he said.

As the man spoke with the news team, all eyes diverted to stubborn cattle which refused to lay a hoof inside a van that was about to take him away.

"Tan up yasso and go in di van. Step up, step up and gwan in nuh and no badda make mi late fi go market," a butcher instructed the animal as he twirled his tail and slapped it with a rope. This did not sit well with the animal which fired about half a dozen kicks with its back legs in the direction of its attackers. About 15 minutes later and after much resistance, the animal stepped into the vehicle which it shared with three goats. The owner then jumped in his van and journey up the rocky road to the market.

"It is a good place to be. Right now down here nuh full like one time. Some a the people dem probably gone a Christiana go look animals, too, but dis right here so a di oldest market. Mi have whole lot a memories from mi a youth a come here. A nuff time mi see cows all get mad and get weh and we have to gallop weh, worse if yuh a wear red. Cow nuh like red because it remind dem a blood," a man said between laughter.