It came as a surprise to the writer when it was announced that the iconic Pastoral house Elders was in the process of divesting themselves from the live export trade.
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No doubt many better informed people than myself will write and discuss at great length this latest development in our industry.
Elders not so long ago in real terms were in dire straits with their financial bottom line.
That last two years or so have seen a major turn around which probably should be recognised as one of the great success stories in the agency industry in modern times.
To realise how correct this suggestion is one only has to look at where their share price is currently and where it came from in not such a very long time.
No doubt the generals at the head office feel that more concentration on their core business will produce greater returns for their shareholders.
Duan Woodham for the last four years was senior livestock manager for JBS based at Dinmore.
In August he parted company with his former employees and has taken position as Northern regional Divisional Manager for rural agency operations with Rural Co.
Mr Woodham comes to the new position with a highly regarded reputation having spent 27 years in the livestock agency and beef processing industry.
This new appointment allows Dick Cameron, who had previously held the position, to be only involved now in a consulting role with Rural Co.
As most people would remember Mr Cameron was one of the driving forces behind the strategy which saw the Rural Co. brand become one of the prominent players in the agency industry, that it is today.
While on the subject of JBS the company has won the grand champion exhibit at the Australian Food Awards conducted by the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria, with their Beef City Black.
This competition in an annual move was conducted over a single class which saw Beef City Black not only outperform other grainfed entries but also Wagga and MSA back grassfed brands.
The normal criteria of taste, tenderness, juiciness, flavour, overall appeal and visual attractiveness was also considered.
A spokesperson for JBS said that it showed that a large volume player could produce a consistent product that was always available and of the very highest of eating quality.
One reader of the column suggested that he felt it was important to readers that at some stage sale highlights be noted so that the graziers are aware what may be achieved if the right stock are presented in the best possible manner.
While I don’t have access to other agent sales books and certainly do not suggest that, these sales that we report are very best results achieved on any given day, some results from our recent catalogue include:
Tim Foran steers 355c, $2196.
Grs Mitchell euro cross steers 386.6c, $1631.
Tim Foran steers 355c, $2196.
.M.Lees and Sons euro cross cows 278c, $1915.
Taylor Ag angus cows 272c, $2053.
C & C Vogt Angus steer vealers 408.6c, $1142.
The above cattle were drawn from Dubbo, Yeoval, Gilgandra, Neilrex, and Coonabarabran.
Simon and Pip Archer from Merrygoen received a nice double over consecutive days with their heavy steers at 361.6c returning $2106 for a deck of principally two tooths.
In the same time frame table top of lambs sold for a tidy $199 per head from the same vendors.