Rural

Recent Cattle Maket Reports

GRAFTON

There were 354 head yarded at Grafton Fat Cattle Sale 19th April 2022 A fair quality yarding came forward this week, most categories were represented. Not all processors operated on heavy cattle, short weeks being the to top at 384.2c/kg. The majority of the young cattle lacked weight but quality was generally good, with

Sale Highlights include:

A/c Brett Tibbett sold an Angus Cross Bullock 389.2c/kg weighed 850kg - $3,308.20 A/c RA & BI Marsh sold Santa Cross Bullocks 402.2c/kg averaged 678.8kg - $2,729.93 p/hd

A/c RA & BI Marsh sold Santa Cross Steers 512.2c/ kg averaged 371.7kg - $1,903.68 p/hd

A/c Andrew Palmer sold Brangus Steers 520.2c/kg averaged 365kg - $1,898.73 p/hd

A/c Ruth Donoghue sold a Brahman Cow 376.2c/kg weighed 665kg - $2,501.73

A/c BJ Slarke Pty Ltd sold Angus Steers 752.2c/kg averaged 222.5kg - $1,673.65 p/hd A/c R Hudson sold an Angus Steer 738.2c/kg weighed 235kg - $1,734.77

A/c Hilton Barnett sold a Hereford Cross Steer 800.2c/kg weighed 210kg - $1,680.42

A/c AD & D Casey sold Angus Cross Heifers 835.2c/ kg averaged 150kg - $1,252.80 p/hd

A/c GC & DM Ellis sold Angus Steers 808.2c/kg averaged 166.7kg - $1,347.00 p/hd

A/c N & P Ball sold an Angus Steer 865.2c/kg weighed 135kg - $1,168.02

CASINO

NRLX Market Report Week Ending Friday 15 April

Agents yarded a total of 464 head at the Northern Rivers Livestock Exchange regular prime sale on Wednesday 13 April. The yarding consisted mainly of young cattle and cows. The young cattle consisted of a good supply of medium weight vealers, however there was increased numbers of plain light weaners. With only a handful of buyers in attendance, prices week.

Cow prices were back this week averaging 291.4c/ kg and reaching a top price of 380.2c/kg. Lighter up to 250kg averaging 592.2c/kg and topping their category at 706.2c/kg. Heavier heifers over 250kg 580.0c/kg.

Bull prices were easier with 8 head sold reaching a top of 338.2c/kg and average of 308.6c/kg and 630kg. Steer prices also fell with lighter steers up to 250kg averaging 587.3c/kg and reaching a top price of 818.2c/kg. Heavier steers over 250kg averaged 508.4c/kg and topped their market at 622.2c/kg. A small number of bullocks sold on the day averaged 350.6c/kg. As with all other categories, vealer prices took a tumble with lighter vealer up to 250kg averaging 644.8c/kg and reaching a top of 910.2c/kg. Heavier vealer over 250kg averaged 558.5c/kg with a top price of 658.2c/kg.

T&W McCormack and Ramsey & Bulmer held a store sale at the NRLX on Monday 11 April with 1,457 head going under the hammer. Steers topped their category at 940.2c/kg and averaged 602.2c/kg and 292kg whilst heifers reached a top of 750.2c/kg and averaged 587.9c/kg and 244kg. Cows reached a top price of $2,300 whilst Cows & Calves topped their market at $4,020.

Ruined roads require more than promises

The state’s peak agricultural body has reminded politicians funding alone is not damaged roads.

On Thursday the state and federal governments announced $312 million to rebuild and improve roads in the state’s north, which was recently smashed by successive

However, farmers and landholders on the Kempsey-Armidale Road, which links Armidale and the coast, have been waiting for repaired, to no avail. The road is so badly damaged now – closed in multiple places – that people are worried for their safety, and some landholders say they would sell up and move out, if they a farm on a ruined road.

Sandra Mitchell, a local NSW Farmers member who lives on the road, said it was time for all levels of government to stop passing the buck and for work to be done.

“This would never happen if this road was in front of a local councillor’s house,” Ms Mitchell said.

“We don’t care who does the work as long as it gets done, and soon – this is a disaster waiting to happen.”

The road was regional road to a local road in 2009 despite steadily increasing thoroughfare between Kempsey and Armidale. As the road crumbled, the local agriculture, tourism and timber industries all suffered as continual closures and reductions in load limits made operating businesses untenable. Prior to the 2019 State Election then-Roads Minister Melinda Pavey wrote to local residents and told them: “the KempseyArmidale Road will be Road under a re-elected NSW Nationals and Liberals Government. It means, in effect, that the State will resume responsibility for maintaining and improving the KempseyArmidale Road”. Furthermore state MP Adam Marshall announced in 2020 that the NSW Government would fund work to repair the entire length of the road, but so far little work has been done to people with construction equipment do,” Mr Martin said.

Feral deer in Tweed: 50 reported sightings in past year

Feral deer are now in the Tweed, posing a serious problem if local populations establish and grow.

The breeding season or rut has begun for Fallow and Red deer, which is the time of year when they are most active.

Six species of feral deer have been introduced in Australia and they are fast becoming one of the nation’s most concerning pest animals as they breed quickly manage as populations grow.

There have been 50 of feral deer reported in the Tweed since the Northern Rivers Feral Deer Alert program was launched in May 2021.

Council’s Feral Deer Rachel Hughes said there are indications of numbers increasing, and to expect the unexpected.

“It is likely recent dispersed feral deer into new areas. Be on the look-out not only in rural areas but also in urban areas,” Ms Hughes said.

“Deer are renowned for jumping out from roadsides and bounding across roads. Some feral deer weigh up to 240kg – almost as much as a Harley Davidson motorbike – and 3 times the weight of a male red kangaroo! That’s not something you want to see on the road in front of you, especially in the dark.

“They can also reduce the ability of farmers to earn a living and cause damage.

“Feral deer are most active at dawn and dusk which coincides with peak periods for road users.”

Along with reported sightings in the Tweed – including at Terranora just last week – there have been two recent sightings in the neighbouring Byron Shire.

Council is urging local residents, farmers, landholders, bushwalkers and motorists to report any feral deer sightings on FeralScan to help stop populations establishing in the Northern Rivers.

“We need these reports so we can understand where the deer are,” Ms Hughes said.

Feral deer hunting in NSW is controlled and regulated and it is illegal to hunt in National Parks and on public land.

Prevent feral deer getting out of control by reporting all sightings at www.feralscan.org.au/ deerscan or phone Local Land Services on 1300 795 299.

Regional voices needed for health panel

NSW Farmers is encouraging people with a strong interest in rural and regional health to put their hand up for a new advisory body.

The NSW Government has opened expressions of interest for the new Regional Health Ministerial Advisory Panel, with Regional Health Minister Bronnie Taylor saying it would be integral in improving health outcomes for people across rural and regional NSW.

Sarah Thompson, a NSW Farmers member and retired occupational therapist, said country communities experienced a lower level of access to health services, and welcomed moves to improve services.

“Regional, rural and remote communities deserve excellent health care and that’s what we want to see achieved,” Mrs Thompson said.

“We need a commitment, focus and funding to deliver the services that are needed, and this will be a great way to let government know what those needs are.

“Providing health services in rural and remote communities has a whole different set of challenges and we need people with those experiences to have their say on how we can build future success.”

According to the NSW Government, the inaugural appointments to the panel will be for a period of up to three years – following selection by Minister Taylor and approval by Cabinet – and will meet at least every three months.

For more, including the expression of interest form, please visit: www. health.nsw. gov.au.

New action plan aims to halve NSW road deaths

New targets to halve deaths and reduce serious injuries by 30% on NSW roads by 2030 will underpin a NSW Government commitment to spend an additional $250 million on road safety.

Minister for Meropolitan Roads Natalie Ward said the newly-released 2026 Road Safety Action Plan outlined a series of important new road safety initiatives to reduce the road toll.

“One death is a death too many and we want to create the safest road system we can, so that everyone using the road returns home safely to their families,” Mrs Ward said.

“We know the measures we’ve delivered through our previous Plan have worked to save lives. 270 people were killed on NSW roads last year, our lowest road toll since 1923, but this number is still too high.”

Under the previous 2021 Road Safety Plan, NSW achieved its target of a 30% reduction in road deaths in the past decade.

“That was a heartening result but it’s vital we look to the future and continue the trend with the ultimate aim to be no deaths on our roads. We should be treating everyone on our roads as if they are family,” Mrs Ward said.

“Important initiatives in our new Plan include a new online Learner Licence Education and Testing Platform to improve interactive learning and access to a licence.”

Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said rural and regional NSW would continue to be a key focus under the Plan.

“People living in regional NSW typically spend more time on the road, driving further, and at higher speeds where safety infrastructure can make a life-saving difference,” Mr Farraway said.

“This funding boost will build on programs already making an important difference in our regional communities such as the Saving Lives on Country Roads Initiative.”

The $250 million funding boost brings the NSW Government’s commitment to improving road safety to almost $2.4 billion years, excluding any potential further safety infrastructure funding.

All initiatives will be delivered through the Community Road Safety Fund.