Livestock - is it fit to load?
The livestock saleyard is a place to buy and sell fit and healthy stock.
Agriculture Victoria is reminding livestock owners and agents of their responsibilities when making the decision to send stock to market or abattoirs. Agriculture Victoria animal health and welfare officer Sue Vaughan said good livestock prices were making it tempting for owners and agents to send sick, injured or disabled animals to saleyards and abattoirs, but these facilities were not the answer.
“There are many different conditions that may affect livestock, causing them suffering and compromising their ability to move freely and to cope with the rigors of transport,” Ms Vaughan said.
Examples where livestock should not be selected for transport to saleyards or abattoirs include: weak and emaciated stock; lameness they should be able to walk normally and bear weight on all four legs; deformed stock; stock showing any visible disease, injury or tumours; stock unable to keep up with the mob both at loading and unloading; immature or weak stock - with particular reference to bobby calves and/or livestock in late pregnancy.
In recent years, Agriculture Victoria has been involved in investigations and prosecutions of a number of owners of cattle with unacceptable eye tumours (eye cancer) at abattoirs and saleyards.
“Livestock managers need to keep in mind it is illegal to present cattle with eye cancer, larger than 2cm, or a five cent piece, in Victorian saleyards,” Ms Vaughan said.
There are significant penalties under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (1986) which may implicate owners, transporters and even persons in charge of unfit livestock at saleyards and abattoirs.
Market report for 8th and 9th November, 2017 Wednesday Fat Sale 155 head. Thursday Bull and Cow Sale, 11 bulls, 227 cows.
A smaller yarding of 155 head on Wednesday pushed competition amongst buyers. Fresh from the long weekend, all categories except heifers recorded a rise in the average price, although heifer weights were heavier resulting in the per head price lifting $60. This week’s yard average was 16 cents up at 286.6 cents.
4 bullocks made to 281.2, up 13 and averaged 273.1, up 13.
12 heifers made to 323.2, up 33 and averaged 255.8, back 3. 50 steers made to 300, firm and averaged 283.2, up 11. 77 veal made to 380.2, up 44 and averaged 308.9, up 30. 245 head on Thursday saw 11 bulls make to 305.2, with the average up 20 cents to 272.7. The top for the 227 cows yarded was 253.2 and the average was up 3 cents to 210.7. This week the Thursday yard average was 5 cents better at 216.4.
1 LimX 1 LimX 1 Lim 1 Sim Steers 5 CharX P Webb, Nyora 9 Ang M&M Sewell, Rokeby 1 Ang T&K Ahearn, Warragul 3 M/G Anderson & Green, B/Buln 2 R/Ang D&G Eyles, Warragul Heifers 1 Ang P Webb, Nyora Export Cows and Heifers 1 M/G M Kent, Labertouche 1 SimX Mile Park, Coalville 1 Ang S Cougle, Shady Creek 3 S/Met Hemp Hill Creek, Noojee 3 Ang G&J Turner, Trafalgar 1 R/B J&E Bechaz, Hill End Dairy Cows 1 Frn J&M Reid, Garfield 2 Frn I&L Cocksedge, Trafalgar 1 Frn B&T Elliott, Athlone 1 Frn R&J Kortholt, Iona 2 Frn Stanvale Farms, N/East 2 Frn T Smethurst, Athlone Bullocks 1 Ang 1 Lim 1 Ang Bulls 2 Lim 1 Lim 1 Ang 1 P/H 1 Frn
M&P Reynolds, Yinnar 345 J&V Williams, Caldermeade 315 P&H Hatswell, Neerim East 405 P&L Poulter, Heath Hill 355 J&M Reid, Garfield L&J McAteer, Garfield D&G Hunter, Trafalgar
Koyuga Downs, Shady Ck L&S Masterson, Longwarry S&M Knight, Hill End L Turpin, Shady Creek B&P Kersten, Yarragon
Scotts, 3. Gibbon, 4. SEJ, 5. Landmark.
529 497 505 478 455
510
555 720 640 621 526 600
620 705 695 625 680 502
620 700 790
1048 830 1020 1120 1105
355.0 1224 339.2 1068 334.0 1352 308.0 1093
299.2 290.7 289.6 289.2 275.6
265.2
253.2 248.0 244.6 244.0 242.6 239.2
245.6 226.0 225.0 224.6 222.2 210.0
265.0 264.6 259.6
1582 1444 1462 1382 1253
1352
1405 1785 1565 1515 1277 1435
1522 1593 1563 1401 1510 1054
1643 1852 2050
305.2 3197 294.6 2440 276.6 2821 274.2 3071 263.2 2908 1. Elders, 2.