Progress continues for our saleyards and it's great to see during the upgrades, the project will bring more jobs to the region by employing more than 80 people throughout the construction period. Once complete, the updated facility will then support the retention of staff at the saleyards, as well as encourage the employment of more staff in the long-term. Fourteen million dollars for the project has come from the state government's Infrastructure and Job Acceleration fund, with the remaining $3.6 million contributed by Gunnedah Shire Council. The funding will deliver a new café, administration facility, truck wash, more workshop sheds and improvements to cattle ramps, gates, fencing and watering systems.
You might have seen a few heavy stories hitting the media recently. Just this week, some pretty stark data was released at Parliament House showing what we already feel on the ground: rural communities are doing it tough. Between unpredictable weather, overlapping natural disasters, and skyrocketing input costs, the pressure is higher than it’s been in a decade.
North-east NSW is facing a severe surge in cattle ticks and tick fever, and primary producers are bearing the financial and emotional brunt of the crisis. While official DPIRD data reports 285 infestations and 54 deaths this financial year, experienced cattlemen on the ground warn the real toll is well into the hundreds. Across the state, infested properties have more than doubled since late 2023, jumping from 218 to over 580.
If you’ve been watching the feeder markets over the last fortnight, you’ve likely noticed a massive shift in momentum. Feeder grids have surged by 30 to 50c/kg, pushing saleyard indicators to heights we haven't seen since 2022.
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