After a massive year of outstanding cattle prices and record cattle numbers, livestock agents and saleyards operators will take a well earned break as the selling season draws to a close.
While some selling centres have already closed the gates for the year, others will wind down operations over the next couple of weeks.
The Blackall Combined Selling Agents have already finished selling for the year, holding their final sale on November 26.
At this stage, there is no fixed date for the 2021 sales but they are expected to re-commence in February.
The selling centres of Monto, Eidsvold and Beaudesert conducted their final sales this week.
Several saleyards closing in the second week of December include Mareeba on December 8, Charters Towers and Gracemere on December 9, and Emerald on December 10.
The remaining saleyards will hold their final sales in the third week of December.
These include Toowoomba, Biggenden and Woodford on December 14.
The Roma, Moreton, Warwick, Murgon and Coolabunia saleyards will hold their last sale on December 15.
Dalby saleyards will close after its final December 15 sale, while Laidley will finish the year on December 17.
Sheppherson and Boyd will hold its final Toogoolawah sale on December 18.
AuctionsPlus will also hold its final sale on December 18 and recommence selling on January 4, 2021.
The first of the cattle sales for January will be at Woodford on January 4.
The Warwick, Laidley and Biggenden sales will re-commence on January 7, while Toogoolawah is set for January 8 and Beaudesert on January 9.
Sellling centres of Toowoomba and Gympie return on January 11; Roma, Moreton and Coolabunia on January 12; Dalby January 13 and Emerald January 14.
Eidsvold will re-start on January 20, with Murgon January 26, and Mareeba will return on February 2.
Many saleyards operators will use the shutdown period to carry out necessary repairs and maintenance to infrastructure in preparation for the New Year.
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.
