Under the heading of Australian Livestock Markets Association, they will launch a research proposal to fully investigate the social value of saleyards to regional communities.

Currently the progress of this newly founded organisation is being hampered by the pandemic and all the health ramifications that accompany any new outbreaks.

The aim eventually of this organisation is to not only grow the iconic nature of saleyards but also to include an area of growth around sale day involving healthcare for rural people, governments agencies advising on all aspect of help available to graziers and others involved in the saleyard family including agents, truckies, caterers, casuals and a host of others.

Other areas under investigation while far reaching include animal nutrition, childcare, fitness groups and a host of other opportunity which may present themselves. Some of these ideas seem to be far out in left field but the people behind these analysts suggest that at this early stage "Nothing is off the table".

It would be staggering I think to be able to evaluate the economic flow on effect to saleyard centres like Forbes and Dubbo when western clients bring their cattle and sheep to these sales and the whole family stay for 2 to 3 days or longer, see a show or two, wine and dine and the ladies in the team enjoy some retail therapy.

My information is that eventually three initial sites will be chosen one in Victoria, followed by NSW and Queensland, personally am looking forward to future developments in this area.

Dubbo sheep and lamb sale on Monday July 19 was as strong a market as most people have witnessed in recent times with plenty of competition from now two major supermarket chains plus the normal gallery of buyers who showed great reluctance to let the two majors chains have it all their own way.

Dubbo agents for the cattle sale on Monday July 22 have drawn for 2400 head, which if all the cattle arrive will be one of our bigger days in recent weeks.