DURING my last column in July I lamented the lack of rainfall. Thankfully, after a period of prolonged frosts and drying winds, the rain has arrived with 20 to 50 millimetres falling across the Northern Tablelands and near west.
Armidale cattle market, although on low numbers, reacted favourably with the top cows lifting from 208 cents a kilogram the previous sale to 228c/kg. One imagines this will be mirrored in sales across the north this week.
Processors have had a difficult time in recent months, so we cannot expect prices to climb to the levels of April to May.
Our sheep and lamb markets have been steady of recent times, but can be expected to lift from $5 to $10 a head in the next couple of weeks.
While on lamb, it was great to see Clint Barton keep up the family tradition of donating the sale proceeds, from the sale of his grand champion pen of lambs at the annual Tamworth show and sale, to the Westpac Helicopter Service.
In the past two years they have contributed $13,500 to the Service. Now that is putting your hand in your pocket!
All stud stock breeders have had a wonderful year, with many spectacular results.
Meat sheep rams have been averaging from $1000 to $1200 selling to commercial breeders in the south.
The annual sale of bulls in the north has been outstanding, and on the boost in demand for wool Merino ram sales have been way beyond expectation, with very strong demand from commercial breeders. Many breeders even doubled ram orders.
Great to see old friend Loch Rogers have such a good bull sale. It is reported his sale next year will be his last and the stud will be wound up.
Sad to think that he does not have family wishing to carry on this excellent stud.
Admittedly this is a tough business, but Loch has assembled top genetics. What a start for any youngster, with the guidance of this top studmaster at hand. Still, it is not everybody’s cup of tea.
Talking of family businesses, it was wonderful to read that J.R.(John) McDonald has taken on new partners with the sale of 51 per cent of Bindaree Beef, to strong Chinese interests.
A top result for this beef industry man who has known his share of ups and downs. Agents across the north will breathe a sigh of relief because we certainly need the competition in the market place.
The workshops held by AuctionsPlus, of which I spoke in July, were all encompassing and recommendations were strongly debated.
The changes are wide ranging and all will help to guard the integrity of the selling system. Changes are many, such as the mandatory uploading of pregnancy certificates if stated as being available and new definitions for temperament.
Uploading of assessments will also be streamlined. It is to be hoped that photography will be dealt with as well, as some photography is horrible. We look forward to the changes being enacted.
