Cattle producers in the Central Highlands and north-western Queensland contributed to a bumper year for the Emerald Saleyards.
Numbers through the yards in 2016 totalled 117,479, injecting $94.6M into the regional economy.
Following the local government elections in March, well-known Springsure cattle producer, councillor Christine Rolfe was appointed chair of the Emerald Saleyards Coordination Committee.
Councillor Rolfe said the Emerald Saleyards are the selling centre of choice for her family business.
“Emerald always yields our business great results and gives us plenty of choice to buy cattle we want for our purpose,” Ms Rolfe said.
“While I’ve had a long-standing association with the facility, it’s interesting to be more involved with the business of the yards for the community,” she said.
She said the the results of the last financial year were “very good” resulting in a net profit of more than $182,000, which will be reinvested to fund upgrades and improvements to the facility.
“In the coming twelve months we’ll continue to upgrade the timber yard fencing to steel; $100,000 is to be spent on more selling pens next to the draft area; and $150,000 is going towards roof repairs over the draft area, which will happen in December.
“Lighting improvements and more gravel in the truck turnaround area are also on the agenda.”
Something new for the Emerald Saleyards is their certification for tick clearing services.
“Traditionally rural saleyards are a weekly hub of activity—everyone comes to town on a Thursday!
“The yards are a community facility and council commits to meet with vendors, agents and other people associated or interested in the facility to get feedback on what’s needed to make the place run well.
‘It’s always a lively discussion where everyone contributes ideas and an action plan is established. Currently we’re looking at matters like marketing, the use of technology and other issues like fees and truck access.”
For saleyard enquiries phone 1300 242 686 or email enquiries@chrc.qld.gov.au
