Cattle sales at Dalrymple Saleyards boom

It’s a busy and bustling time in the cattle industry with Dalrymple Saleyards, Charters Towers in the midst of a huge boom and back to back sales being held to meet market expectations.

Dalrymple Saleyards figures are starting to turn heads in the industry, steadily climbing the ranks from seventh place two years ago, to second place in Queensland, as well as nationally this financial year. 

Councillor Robertson said the success over the last two years is a real turning point for the Charters Towers cattle industry, with the region quickly becoming recognised as the premier saleyard destination in the north.

“Considering the size of our facility, being able to achieve the numbers we have is the result of a lot of hard work and dedication,” said Councillor Robertson.

Figures just released in a Meat and Livestock Australia report showed that Charters Towers achieved a 202 per cent increase in cattle sales through saleyards, with 170,482 head sold in the 2021-2022 financial year compared to 56,463 the previous year.

The reason for this growth can be attributed to multiple factors, including consecutive years of good conditions seeing an increase in quality cattle, as well as an increase in cattle coming from outside of the region including the Cape.

“Live export prices have also dropped below those being seen in saleyards which has also had an impact on numbers, with prices up to 50 cents per kilogram less in some instances”.

“This ‘perfect storm’ is allowing the Dalrymple Saleyards to offer quality cattle on a large scale, encouraging larger buyer interest, including southern based processors, and it is definitely benefiting our producers”.

“This achievement is definitely the result of a lot of hard work and dedication by saleyards staff and stock agents, without whom this result would not have happened,” continued Councillor Robertson.

Sales are set to continue for the rest of the year, with high numbers for weekly Fat and Store Sales still registered and scheduled to occur until mid-December.

With demand still remaining high, there are also multiple large stud sales scheduled for November.

To say all involved will have earned a well-earned rest over the Christmas period will be an understatement. 

The Christmas period will see the Saleyards closed for cleaning and maintenance in preparation to recommence sales in the new year.