SALE agents combined their monthly stores sales for the official opening of the Gippsland Regional Livestock Exchange (GRLE) last Friday.
Some three years ago I sat with Wellington Shire Council’s chief executive David Morcombe and general manager Natural & Built Environment Chris Hastie, and talked of the possibilities of a new saleyard for Wellington Shire.
After much public consultation, Wellington Shire Deputy Mayor Cr Bob Wenger, officially opened the new, state-of-the-art, GRLE selling complex. This new complex, situated on the former site, now offers 114 selling pens with soft flooring, new pens and roof, at a cost of $3.3 million.
Member for Gippsland Danny O’Brien, was also in attendance.
“I remember walking around the old concrete yards when I was younger, and to see this magnificent soft floor selling complex now, is fantastic,” Mr O’Brien said.
“It is a credit to Wellington Shire and everyone concerned to see the project come to fruition.”
With the exception of the Baw Baw Livestock Exchange, Warragul, all of Gippsland’s regular selling complexes are now undercover.
Being the “newest kid on the block”, the GRLE operates under LED lighting which gives excellent glow, and at cheaper cost to council.
Mr Morcombe could not be present for the opening, but numerous Wellington Shire employees attended to provide information, and morning tea to a large contingent of producers and buyers.
Sale saleyard was, and continues to be under management of the VLE, who assisted in the eventual outcome of this bright and airy selling complex.
Having all of the operating agents combining for this opening sale saw a total yarding of 991 cattle penned, plus 31 stud bulls of Leawood Angus, Flynn, which were sold after the completion of the regular sale.
Elders auctioneer, Morgan Davies, opened the sale offering two prime bullocks on behalf of S Marsh. These bullocks had a displayed weight of 665kg, and sold to Julie K Livestock, Berwick, for $1840.
Following on from these, Elders sold three pens of Angus steers on behalf of A&P Anton & Sons, Toongabbie. These 43 steers with an advisory weight of 439-524kg, sold to very strong competition. Selling to Thomas Foods (TFI) for grain feeding, they sold between $1440 and $1570, or 300-328c/kg lwt.
This set a solid base for the sale, which many quoting prices as equal to or better than some recent markets in Gippsland.
Not all cattle had a weight displayed, and those with weights were a guide only. However, prices were solid throughout the sale. RAJ Crooke sold 18 yearling Angus steers for $1530, but most other steers were younger, and of lighter weights.
With the exception of TFI, who purchased early, and some processor competition, the buying power came solely from Gippsland.
BL&MM Lee sold 48 Angus steers from $975-$1245, and JW&BJ Dunbar, 33 Angus-Hereford steers to $1160, to average $1057. BM&GH Missen, Woodside, sold 33 Angus steers of lighter weight, from $810-$1030 with the lightest pen estimated to be over 400c/kg lwt.
Heifers sold to solid competition too, which saw Padula Pty Ltd, sell 6 yearling Charolais cross heifers for $1110. Chesterfield Pty Ltd, Glenmaggie, sold 51 Angus heifers between $860 & $1010.
DJ&PJ Hammond sold 11 Hereford-Shorthorn heifers for $1135, while most others sold between $830 & $910. R&E Newnham sold 23 heifers for $910, and district favourites, D&K Kuch, Darriman, sold 11 Angus heifers for $895.
A&P Anton & Sons sold 13 Angus heifers, PTIC to Pinora Angus bulls for $1400.
