Two leading western Queensland livestock agents have taken out the AuctionsPlus national sheep and cattle assessor of the year awards for throughput last financial year.
Longreach-based Elders agent Tim Salter had a sheep throughput of 45,000, which scored him the AuctionsPlus national sheep assessor accolade.
Mr Salter is no stranger to these awards having won the 2015 award for both sheep and cattle.
He said his numbers this year were definitely up due to the dry season in western Queensland.
"About one third of the throughput was normal trading turn-off, while the balance was due to the adverse seasonal conditions," Mr Salter said.
He said the sheep sold to buyers as far away as southern NSW and Victoria.
"Once there was rain in southern Queensland, wethers went into Warwick, Inglewood, Stanthorpe, St George and the Dirranbandi districts," he said.
"AuctionsPlus gives us a massive market base on any given day with exposure to three Australian states - it is a ready made audience.
"When we have a good season and are in a buying mode we use AuctionsPlus to buy as well."
Mr Salter has been an AuctionsPlus assessor for the past 21 years.
The AuctionsPlus national cattle assessor of the year was 28-year-old Jack Brodie of Brodie Agencies, Winton.
Mr Brodie offered 6171 cattle along with 11,229 sheep over the financial year.
"I am very surprised to receive this award, but I knew I had been busy," Mr Brodie said.
A big believer in the marketing power of AuctionsPlus, Mr Brodie said it gives a true and accurate description of the livestock and enables buyers from all states to bid with confidence.
"It also gives the producer a better understanding of the value of their livestock," he said.
In 2016, his father Tom received the same AuctionsPlus accolade.
In the 2015-16 financial year, Brodie Agencies offered 6800 cattle and 13,000 sheep that were sold to registered bidders throughout the country.
Helen Walker
Helen is the Toowoomba-based journalist who loves nothing better than covering anything horse sport related, however she covers all commodities and personality yarns. Over the years she has lived in Brisbane, Rockhampton, Longreach and Roma filing stories for the 'bible of the bush'. Contact 0459 827414.
Helen is the Toowoomba-based journalist who loves nothing better than covering anything horse sport related, however she covers all commodities and personality yarns. Over the years she has lived in Brisbane, Rockhampton, Longreach and Roma filing stories for the 'bible of the bush'. Contact 0459 827414.
