The Dubbo Regional Council said on the advice of NSW Health sheep sales scheduled for September 6 and September 23, and the prime cattle sales for September 9 and 16 would not go ahead.

The council postponed one prime sale after a person who had attended the yards tested positive for coronavirus.

It was working closely with NSW Health to track down close and casual contacts, who had visited the yards.

A spokesman said anyone who attended cattle and sheep sales on August 26 and 30 should get tested and isolate.

Dubbo Stock and Station Agents president Martin Simmonds said the organisation was consulting with NSW Health, to try and get next Thursday's prime cattle sale reinstated.

"We have a COVID plan, which we have done all the way through, and we will put our case forward on everything we are going to do, which includes rapid testing, at the gate," Mr Simmonds said.

He said the only people who would be permitted, if the sale went ahead, were those on the essential workers list and who had a clear coronavirus test result.

Last Thursday 4000 head of cattle was yarded at Dubbo and Mr Simmonds said it was "prime time" for spring sales.

"It wouldn't surprise me if we pulled between 4000-5000 head."

He said the industry was "very, very eager" to get sales back.

"It's in the best interest of the industry, moving forward," he said.

While Dubbo was the first centre to record a case, it would not be the last.

"We need to make sure NSW Health gets it right, we are an essential part of the food chain."

In mid-August Fletcher International Exports abattoir, Dubbo, closed for a week.

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