As the Autumn break arrives for many areas, it is very timely for livestock producers as it gives some pre-winter growth and a good start to winter crops.
It has certainly given a price stabilisation to all meat markets over the last few weeks with the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) taking a turn in the positive direction and lamb and mutton prices finding a new gear.
Whilst sheep prices remain buoyant, there are still many questions to be answered around the future of NLIS in sheep (Victoria) and how other states can fit into this program with interstate trading to take place.
There are many who will be watching very closely to see how 50,000 lambs will be scanned at Hamilton, Ballarat or Bendigo in the heat of the season without impeding the run of the sale and not comprising animal welfare and the OH&S of those engaged in the saleyard sector.
There have been questions raised that the funding may not be adequate to enable saleyards and agents to meet their regulatory requirements and at present these questions along with others that remain unanswered which are concerning as every day this beast gets closer to implementation.
On a much brighter note, the April 6 saw the running of the 2017 ALPA National and NSW Young Auctioneers Competition at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
Victorian Agent Jack Hickey, JM Ellis & Co Hamilton was named runner up...
Eight Contestants from Victoria, South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales represented their states to sell in the national competition where they sold three Steers in front of a capacity live audience of 2,000 spectators. The competition was livestreamed and more than 6,000 people viewed it online. Congratulations to Lincoln McKinlay of TopX Gracemere, QLD in taking out the National Award and earning the right to represent Australia at the 2017 Calgary Stampede in Canada this year.
Tour Leader for the two week Canadian trip through Quadrant Australia is well known Hamilton agent and identity Warren Clark.
Anyone wishing to enquire about taking part in the tour can contact Warren – 0418 106 240. Victorian Agent Jack Hickey, JM Ellis & Co Hamilton was named runner up and will travel to New Zealand in May to represent Australia and auction at the Queens of Hearts female sale at the New Zealand Beef Expo.