Do not know the reasoning behind the dramatic slide in cattle numbers here at Dubbo Regional Livestock Centre where agents scanned 3524 head for the sale of Thursday, June 7.

In recent week’s we have seen cattle draws ranging from 6200 to 8100 head.

Some have suggested the hint of forthcoming rain may have played a part, the public holiday next Monday with no sheds working, State of Origin or maybe here in the Central West we may be seeing the end of big numbers having unloaded big penning’s week after week for many months.

Whatever caused the reduction in numbers it certainly benefited the state of play of those vendors with cattle. Best young cattle to the trade were 3 cents dearer, both feeder steers and heifers were assessed at 8c to 11c better.

Best young restocker steers were 15cents/kilogram stronger while the market reporter thought good young restocker heifers may have improved by as much as 30c/kg. Grown steers improved by 5cents/kilogram, cows were cheaper losing between 12c to 16c/kg.

Another quick look at the Kimberley Meat Co operation the brain child of Jack Burton, his family and partners Yeeda Pastoral Co.

This is a business as previously mentioned that operates on the flattest of flat management profiles with a very small multi-skilled team at the helm.

They buy the cattle, manage and maintain the plant and market the bulk of the end product within this small dedicated team.

One management tool that they apparently use very effectively is that if they don’t have the bodies sold in its entirety they do not under any circumstances process that beast.

The majority of all carcases go into what is referred to as a frozen commodity grinding pack. Very few cuts are taken for table use.

The company is watching closely the live export price and as it shows continuing sign of decline the principals feel the time is near when they may be able to compete successfully in this sector of the market.

Instead of having 50,000 to 60,000 cull cows and bulls within their area, entry to this bigger facet of the trade would see an extra 200,000 to 300,00 head of cattle come within their scope.

Very difficult day at the office for those involved in the National Hereford Bull Sale held recently here at Dubbo.

Only 44 bulls found new homes from an offering of 95 in the catalogue.

Top price was $32,000 achieved for a son of Allandale Anzac E114 when purchased by Talbalba Stud at Millmerran, Queensland in conjunction with Callaway Poll Herefords, Irvingdale, Queensland.

The 44 bulls sold averaged $7965.00.

Two bulls each sold for $22,000 from a local perspective Malcolm and Denise Leader of ‘Ringwood’, Binnaway, paid $10,000 for Lachdale Mindblower when sold by Greg and Lachie Scurr from the Lachdale Stud, Texas, Queensland.