The Northern Rivers Times Rural News ED108

Recent Cattle Market Reports

CASINO

NRLX Market Report Week Ending Saturday 30 July

Agents yarded a total of 770 head at the Northern Rivers Livestock Exchange regular prime sale on Wednesday 27 July. The yarding consisted of a good supply of young cattle and a fair penning of cows. The yarding of young cattle consisted mainly of weaners along with an odd pen of yearlings. Quality was very mixed with a large percentage of plain conditioned weaners, however there was several lines of well bred

cattle throughout the sale. Cow prices saw a drop again this week averaging 241c/kg and reaching a top price of 350c/kg. Heifer prices were also back with lighter stock up to 250kg averaging 394c/kg and topping their category at 486c/ kg. Heavier heifers over 250kg averaged 303c/kg and reached a top of 428c/kg. Bull prices were easier this week with 16 head sold averaging 257c/kg and 708kg. Steers held firm to slightly cheaper with lighter steers up to 250kg averaging 498c/kg and reaching a top price of 612c/ kg. Heavier steers over 250kg averaged 405c/kg and topped their market at 528c/kg. A good number of bullocks sold on the day averaged 334c/kg.

Vealer prices remained steady this week with lighter vealer up to 250kg averaging 459c/kg and reaching a top of 596c/kg. Heavier vealer over 250kg averaged 436c/kg with a top price of 556c/kg. The 2022 Casino All Breeds Bull & Female sale was held at the NRLX on Saturday 30 July with over 150 of the region’s finest bulls and females offered on the day. The top priced bull was sold by Lyle Family Angus for $28,000 with second and third place not far behind sold by Franklin Angus for $25,000 each. Franklin Angus also sold the top priced female of the day for $15,000. With over 200 bidders registering both in person and online via Stocklive, the day was considered a great success.

CERTAINTY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, FARMERS AND WATER USERS

There is more certainty for farmers and the environment after the NSW Government’s licensing and measurement reform became law in Water Sharing Plans for the Border Rivers and Gwydir Valleys. Minister for Lands and Water Kevin Anderson and Minister for Environment James Griffin have approved changes to the Border Rivers, Gwydir and

Macquarie Water Sharing Plans. Mr Anderson said this reform will mean floodplain harvesting is controlled within the legal limits, benefiting the environment, farmers and downstream water users. “When it comes to managing water in NSW my view is healthy rivers, healthy farms and healthy communities, not one or the other,” Mr Anderson said. “This is a policy that

supports farmers and downstream communities and will return around 100 billion litres of water to our floodplains and river systems per year on average, and more than three times that volume in wetter years, which is a great outcome.” Minister for Environment James Griffin said the policy is about improving environmental protection while recognising the need for adaptive

management. “For decades, floodplain harvesting has had no restrictions, going unmonitored, unmeasured and unconstrained impacting upon river ecosystems and the plant and animal species that depend on them,” Mr Griffin said. “As part of these new plans, we have ensured that an independent review of the local access triggers and the downstream Menindee

target will occur within the first three years of the plans, with changes to follow if warranted and the review published. “These are the firstever enforceable controls put into law that will reduce, restrict and limit floodplain harvesting and strengthen existing protections for water sources and dependent ecosystems.” The NSW Government is working with local communities on the

ground to continually improve river connectivity. “We’ve consulted extensively with all stakeholders on these proposed new rules for floodplain harvesting licences,” Mr Anderson said. The planned review after three years will allow early monitoring of floodplain harvesting to be carefully evaluated.