Record sales for saleyards
MORE than 273,000 head of cattle were processed through Charters Towers Regional Council’s H.M. Clarke (Dalrymple) Saleyards during the past financial year.
The numbers were 8000 head higher than council predicted and more than 24,000 head above the previous record set during the 2019-20 financial year.
Councillor Bernie Robertson, whose portfolio includes the saleyards, said it made the Charters Towers saleyards one of the largest in Queensland.
“We are putting through about 6000 head of cattle each week, which is close to the numbers we see at established saleyards like in Roma,” he said.
“There’s been additional selling days happening almost fortnightly for the past eight months to try keep up with demand.
“Due to the high price and strong demand of cattle we expect to see those numbers to continue.
“This was achieved while also gaining full compliance of the National Saleyard Quality Assurance standards.”
It follows continued meetings of the Dalrymple Saleyards Masterplan Advisory Committee.
The committee was adopted in May and has representatives from council, cattle
exporters, cattle transporters, combined selling agents, saleyard contractors and graziers.
The committee will act as an advisory body to developing a masterplan to improve infrastructure at the H.M.
Clarke Saleyards. Mr Robertson said it was important to hear the voices of industry stakeholders.
“The committee has now had two official meetings to consider future improvements at the saleyards,” he said.
“We want to ensure the saleyards will be fit for purpose to take advantage of any future opportunities in the beef sector.”