Markets this week increased in numbers and the pleasing aspect is that buyers absorbed the numbers. Larger yardings will always attract a larger panel of buyers. I read where a noted banker made a prediction that the ECYI will move a lot lower in coming months, and he may be right. One thing is certain, when it does rain the market will “take off like a fire cracker” and one would not be surprised if the ECYC sees a return close to 650/700 points we have previously witnessed.
Dalby saw feeder steers to top at 277c/kg and weaner steers to 310c. Bullocks sold to 270c and cows to processors made to 221c for an average around 210c.
Roma agents had feeder steers up to 288c, weaner steers up to 302c and equivalent heifers up to260c.
Emerald this week saw weaner steers top at 306c to average 287c. Restocker cows, some PTIC, sold to 188c and cows to processors at around 210c.
Rockhampton finished the week with heavier steers to 250c, weaner steers to 288c and heifer equivalents averaging 220c. Processors paid to 218c for heavy cows and restockers were active to 188c for lighter cows.
AuctionsPlus operators, agents and the company board of directors will be disappointed that Anna Speers is leaving the business to take the Chief Operating Officers position at the Australian Agricultural Company.
The changes Anna has implemented will take AuctionPlus to a new level and prepare all for continued developments in technology with on-line marketing. During Anna’s tenure at the company, the growth has continued with additional select sales with targeted markets in mind. $830 million of livestock sales in F18, back in F15 total value was $343 million.
Actual numbers growth is the real measure of Anna’s success – 46 per cent growth in cattle number throughput and 40pc growth in sheep number throughput. AuctionPlus has 542 active agency branches, 798 active professional agent assessors and an average of 500 attendees at each sale.
Few companies can claim to have had such a significant impact on the culture of the livestock supply chain and the growth over the past years in throughput which is great testament to the platform. This has no doubt been brought about by the professional development of a dedicated team of internal professionals and a concerted effort by the agents who recognise the future of marketing their clients’ cattle and sheep will be to embrace on-line marketing systems and remain in the marketing mix with future generations.
Anna has brought about a gradual cultural change in our industry and soon the process will move to another level with mobile apps provided for assessments and auction participation along with cloud technology.
Col Campbell, Landmark AuctionsPlus Livestock co-ordinator based at Rockhampton, is back on deck and in full swing having recently overcome some health problems. Col has been the driver of the sales platform at Landmark for the past 20 odd years and never misses an opportunity to train and encourage younger agents to keep upgrading their marketing skills.
The next generation of livestock auctioneers will descend on the CQLX saleyards at Rockhampton in a couple of weeks for an intense two-day auctioneers’ school conducted by ALPA. It is a serious profession and there is a lot more involved than the sale-o, sale-o patter that we hear at saleyards. How can an auctioneer auction without a voice and this very issue is addressed with speech pathologists there to guide auctioneers in voice preservation. Vocal hygiene, breathing, posture, pronunciation are some of the things that the speech pathologists advise on.
All the selling action is captured on video with feedback provided. Experienced auctioneers are also on hand to pass on the practical aspects of the profession. This school is also the selection for the ALPA Young Auctioneers Competition at the Ekka in August. Only 10 finalists can go through and I look forward to providing an update on the finalists in coming weeks.