ANYBODY attending Wodonga’s Barnawartha selling complex for store cattle sales, needs to note the changed starting time of 9am.
I have heard, or been told a number of comments about this issue.
So when I attended the store sale last Thursday, the first sale at this new time, I spoke with all sides of the industry affected by this decision.
To be fair, it is not just the new starting time, as included in the decision was changing the curfew time for the arrival of cattle to 6pm the night before the sale.
First, I must point out that this was a joint decision between agents and the management of the Northern Victoria Livestock Exchange (NVLX).
However, it is also noted that it was not a unanimous decision by all agents to bring in these changes.
Elders Albury auctioneer Brett Shea made a very relevant point based on OH&S issues.
“Bringing the curfew time back to 6pm means agents can get home at a reasonable hour after drafting cattle, rather than after midnight, at times,” he said.
“When there are larger numbers we can leave late and have to return early, to continue drafting and the penning of stock, which doesn’t leave time for a prescribed rest in between.”
Of course, all companies have OH&S policies that staff are supposed to adhere to, but this is often broken during very busy times.
One of the downsides to the curfew time came from a transport operator who indicated that it would often, not be possible to get all loads in by curfew. Part of this problem can be when producers work off farm, and need time to yard cattle after work, but with this new curfew, this might not be possible.
Transporting cattle away from the sale can be a different for operators and buyers.
Potentially, sales will finish 1½ hours earlier, and this will best suit transport operators, especially those carting long distances from the Barnawartha yards.
I have noted purchased stock going as far as southern Queensland from Wodonga, and into South Australia the other way.
For myself, and for buyers travelling from central New South Wales to this market, we face a very early start, or an additional expense of a motel room for the night before the sale. One person’s gain is another person’s loss.
Once again, for myself, I get to drive through Melbourne with little traffic on the way up, and get home to kiss the wife, and pat the dogs.
