Cattle always the call for Chris
When stock agent Chris Cameron heard that the Warragul saleyards would be closing after decades of service to the local farming community, he said it “shocked him for a week”.
“To be honest with you, I was in shock for a week, I was really surprised and couldn’t believe it, so I’ve extended my yards here and expanded,” he said.
Beginning his career at the tender age of 16, Mr Cameron had been working around the Warragul saleyards for 25 years, following in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps.
After moving on from Warragul hoping to find a day’s wages elsewhere, he landed in Lardner, which he has now turned into one of the busiest local cattle yard scales in the region.
“It’s just in my blood, being a third generation stock agent, my father and grandfather were both branch managers at Gippsland & Northern, where I first started in 1974,” he said.
A vastly experienced stock agent now, Mr Cameron said he’s seen an expansion in the cattle business, especially on his end since the saleyards were closed.
“I’ve definitely seen an expansion, the farmers like the ease of the drop offs and the soft floor we provide for the cattle,” he said. “I’ve also extended out with some new gates in the yard, which is better for the cattle and better for the clients now,” he added.
Mr Cameron said since the saleyards shut the doors, he’d seen an increase in farmers dropping cattle off in his yard.
“There has been a change, definitely, I’ve had a few more farmers come from out at Jindivick and also a few other places since,” he said.
He’s also noticed a bit more support from the local farmers since the closure.
“Yes, well I have, I think the reason being is I’m close and handy to drop off too, as well as having a respected name and offer a good price and the farmers like that I think,” he said.
For Mr Cameron, he knows how important building a relationship with local farmers is. Over the past few years, some farmers have been doing it tough and he sees a role like his as an opportunity to not only help farmers move cattle on, but also encourage those out on the land to keep going.
“I like to help people out. I got a bit more for 18 head of cattle not long ago and ended up giving the farmer some money back and he walked off with a spring in his step, it’s just things like that, respecting and being fair with your clients is big for me,” he explained.
Now, with the only yards open for stock in Pakenham, Mr Cameron can see why farmers have started to contact him.
“With Pakenham, and the extra distance that they now have to travel, they have to be in the yard early Sunday, then they aren’t sold until the next day and with minimal feed they don’t look as good either,” he explained. “Here, each area has a hay ring, and they’re looked after well before they move on,” he said.
Even after nearly 50 years in the business, Mr Cameron said he’s still learning along the way, but continuing to enjoy every moment.
“It’s been a mighty experience,” he said. “I’ve learnt a lot, but I’m still learning now and loving every minute of it as well.”