Show props up cattle forum
Saleyards crossover event a success
Dalby Saleyards has hosted a cattle forum at this year’s Dalby Show for the first time drawing strong crowds.
The saleyard sells an average 200,000 cattle annually and turned over $300m in cattle sales during the 2021-2022 financial year.
The annual forum was held at the Dalby Show for the first time, facilitating collaboration and education between key stakeholders.
Western Downs Regional Council facilities program development co-ordinator Alison Mobbs said the event was important to bring together industry heads and discuss the future of the industry.
“We invited stakeholders to the show to hear from different speakers on topics ranging from drought funding and nutrition, weed and pest management and biosecurity,” she said.
“We had a visit from the leader of the opposition Jarrod Bleijie, member for Warrego Ann Leahy, mayor Andrew Smith and four of our councillors so we had a really strong representation of leadership in the community as well as representation from the department of agriculture, AG Force Queensland and from our rural services team.
“It was a terrific day for producers, vendors, truck drivers, agents and regulators so it has been a big mix of stakeholders.”
Ms Mobbs said forums such as these were important to the industry’s longevity.
“We need to be biosecurity ready, if there is an emergency disease outbreak we need to be ready, we need to make sure we have all of our processes in place and ensure producers and vendors know what to do,” she said.
Ms Mobbs said cattle saleyards were vital to the region.
Councillor for business strategy and economic development Megan James echoed this.
“Agriculture and intensive ag are pillars of our economy and absolutely vital so the way we support producers and associated industries is such a vital part of our economy,” she said.
“Having a strong economy underpins everything in our region, our liveability and the way we move forward.”
Ms James and Ms Mobbs said the move to hosting the forum at the Dalby Show had been a positive one.
“Having it at the show for the first time means it has had a really nice vibe having it here, you can hear and see and smell the cattle while you’re here learning so it has been a nice collaboration between council and the show society,” Ms James said.
“People that came to watch the cattle judging this morning have come across to the forums so it’s attracted additional people that wouldn't have come to a stand alone event and the numbers are increased on previous events,” Ms Mobbs said.
Meanwhile Dalby Show numbers were high with treasurer Robert Parsons hailed the event a success.
“We are very happy with this year it shaped up to be one of the biggest show we have ever had,” he said.
“I don't ever recall having the number of people that early on a Friday morning we had at least 1000 through the door on the first morning and had over 5000 across the whole show.
“The machinery display was probably the biggest we’ve had in years, the pavilions were full and we had trade sites outside under the roof because it’s the only way we could fit them all in.”