A SIGNIFICANT reduction in the number of cattle being sold at NSW saleyards in the past financial year has been confirmed by the results of the Meat and Livestock Australia saleyards survey.
Cattle being sold direct to works and via online platforms such as AuctionsPlus could have also affected the number of stock being sold via the saleyards in the past financial year.
The recently released results indicated Dubbo, Wagga Wagga and Carcoar remain the top three saleyards for cattle throughput, however all recorded lower totals than in 2015-16.
However, MLA have also reported during 2016-17, cattle saleyard throughput in NSW totalled 1.6 million head which was the highest of any state recorded in MLA’s 2016-17 saleyard survey.
Breaking down the sale results, Dubbo saleyard recorded the highest throughput in the state, with 199,431 head during 2016-17. The Dubbo Regional Council operated facility continues to do upgrades to ensure it maintains its top position.
Earlier this year 140 new selling pens and four double-deck ramps were constructed. In addition, at least two express lanes were reconfigured and a second weigh-bridge was added.
The Council hopes the additions will encourage more stock through the markets which in turn will bring more buyers.
Wagga and Carcoar saleyards were again ranked second and third in volume, with numbers reaching 168,725 head and 129,006 head, respectively.
North Coast saleyard, Casino climbed into fourth position with 119,572 head.
Tamworth slipped a place to fifth with 114,895 head, while at Gunnedah there were 91,448 head consigned putting them in sixth postion.
The saleyard at Yass has attracted plenty of interest despite only being in operation since August 2016. It climbed into seventh place with 66,062 head and has the potential to climb further up the rankings in the next financial year.
Rounding out the top 10 were Inverell (60,078 head), Forbes (59,911 head) and Scone (59,119 head).
