It has been a year of records for the Tamworth regional livestock exchange with low rainfall to date, large yardings of stock and Friday last, one of the smallest offerings. in terms of numbers of store cattle when 261 were penned to be sold in 23 minutes.
TRLX reported the best steers sold to $500 for a pen of Angus offered on account Blackwell, while the EU-accredited Hereford steers offered by the Ogilvie family sold for $490.
The best of the heifers made to $445 when penned on account of the Ogilvie family while limited numbers of cows with calves sold to $1110 for a pen of Charolais.
Light weight cows sold to $615.
Competition was restricted with local restockers picking up what well be real bargains if it rains within the next few weeks with some western NSW interests taking what they could.
Burke and Smyth Tamworth director Simon Burke said the limited numbers were simply due to the short week coming after Easter with Anzac Day following.
"We still had the sale to allow producers to unload if they wanted to," he said.
"There wasn't any great change in values due to limited numbers with quality cattle still making reasonable returns and the light weights a bit harder to move."
Ten agents associated with TRLX operated during the sale and it has been announced only nine would in future be at the rails with the sale of Burke and Smyth Stock & Station Agents Pty Ltd to Davidson Cameron and Co, a Ruralco company.
Burke and Smyth director Simon Burke said it has been an absolute privilege to be a stock agent operating in the Tamworth district.
"I've certainly seen a lot of changes over the years with new developments and changes of people," he said.
"For me it is really good move.
"I'm going to work for a good company and it is an exciting change."
Mr Burke thought it will be a really good fit and the existing service to Burke and Smyth clients will not be interrupted.
"I'll still be working as an agent which is great but I will be concentrating more on rural property sales," he said.
"At the same time I have got my Burke and Smyth clients to consider and will still be looking after them."
