Being the best yarding so far for finish and quality, producers are reaping the benefits of one of the best winters on record.

The general consensus is yarding will continue to grow in numbers and improve overall in presentation terms.

Sales earlier in the week seemed to be lacklustre from most reports, but with bumper numbers at Dubbo many categories at worst were firm with many pens of prime cattle showing improvements in price restockers. 

Feeders showed good gains, better cows, bullocks and bulls were firm to slightly better. Secondary cattle, particularly heifers, lost some ground.

The boys from agents Clemson Hiscox and Co, in Walgett, recently were in contact to report an outstanding sale on auctions plus account Gary and Leanne Hall ‘The Mole’, in Warren.

The Hall family, through their agents, sold 58 Angus heifer yearling 12-14 months.

NSM with an average weight of 361.6 kilograms returned $1655 or 457.68 c/kg.

Clemson Hiscox and Co said the heifers were Te Mania blood and a classic example of the breed.

Bruce Bryant, of Peter Milling and Co., Wellington, has brought attention to the upcoming Glenwood Merino Ram Sale.

This important event on the ram sale calendar will take place on-property on October 14 from 1pm.

Norman and Pip Smith extend a warm welcome to all to come and inspect this magnificent offering of 100 SRS poll Shorn Rams.

According to some rainfall statistics researched by DSSA secretary Tim Samson,  exactly 100 years ago Dubbo had a very wet year recording 756.6 millimeters and 2010 was also good, receiving 1117.4 mm.

This year, when finished, would obviously appear to be a good bet to beat both..

Reliable stats out of my home turf at Binnaway tell us this winter is the wettest since 1974.

New and refurbished abattoirs appear to be popping up across the board with a multitude of centres, particularly in the north, announcing their wish to get some skin in the domestic and export game.

Investor support is being canvassed at various levels of intensity for new sheds at Hughenden, Emerald and Toowoomba.

One plant looking seriously at refurbishment is the mothballed operation at Innisfail last operated by Teys Brothers in 2006. The massive cyclone “Larry” caused immeasurable damage and forced a premature closure.

Back then the plant was some 40 years old but still had the capacity to handle some 700 head a day.

The concerns marshalling support for this operation suggest it will cost 40 per cent less to re-build an existing plant with all the approvals and protocols in place than construct one at a new site.