The saleyards at Delacombe continued its enduring history on Friday when it hosted the August special cattle sale, despite many graziers believing the sale would be held at the new Central Victoria Livestock Exchange (CVLX) at Miner’s Rest.
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Grazier Richard Goodwin said he had booked a lot of cattle in eight weeks ago, believing the sale would be held at the new complex. He said they were recently advised the sale would be held at Delacombe instead, because although the yards were ready, the parking areas and truck turning bays were not.
AAM Investment Group managing director, Garry Edwards said the new saleyards were expected to open in August but the weather had affected “work schedules associated with the final perimeter road construction and truck movement and parking areas at the new CVLX facility.”
Mr Edwards said sealing of “traffic movement areas and other external facility roads and pavement areas” could not be “effectively completed” to the standard and quality required until the weather improved.
“I am certain everyone will understand the common sense outcome is to be patient and wait a little longer and do it properly, given that we have all waited nearly a decade for this facility to be built,” he said.
“This facility will be here to service the livestock industry of Central Victoria for the next 60 years, so realistically waiting another sixty days should not be an issue for anyone.”
The new saleyards will now open with a store cattle sale on 19 October. Prime cattle, sheep and lamb sales will start the following week on rotation.
Friday’s sale yard numbers were boosted by cattle from drought-affected NSW. Mr Goodwin said prices were generally good, with his lot of heavy (456kg) steers selling for $1390 to $1333. Lighter steers did not sell as well, affected in part by the large numbers coming onto the market, while heifers and cows with calves sold well.
Charolais cows with calves at foot, brought down from the drought-affected Forbes area, sold for $1900 a head.