MORE than 6000 head of cattle and sheep went up for bids as the Tamworth saleyards implemented new restrictions due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
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Monday's sales marked the first which only allowed essential personnel such as buyers, stock agents, transporters and staff to attend.
Tamworth Regional Livestock Exchange (TRLX) took to social media to announce the changes.
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"As always, our first priority is the health of our staff, users and visitors and we are proactively implementing changes to reduce the risk of exposure whilst in attendance at TRLX," the post read.
"We encourage those who are not essential to the sale process to remain away from the facility - those considered essential are buyers, agents, transporters and RLX staff."
The move comes after the facility hosted its seventh annual Virbac Weaner Challenge and Sale, which was taken out by a pen of seven-to-nine-month-old steers from Niangala's Carnegie Station.
It was the seventh time a Northern Tablelands- based property has won the event and this year's pen was sold by Garvin and Cousens.
Nutrien Tamworth stock agent Joel Fleming said the market had held firm from last week's prices.
"All in all, the job here has held up very well," Mr Fleming said.
"In the weaner's section, they reached around $1200 to $1250, which was about the top of that.
"There was a lot of fresh vendor-bred heifers anywhere from 230-290 kilograms making anywhere from $1050 to the $1150 mark."
The Gunnedah saleyards have followed suit with the Coronavirus precautions, which will come into effect from Tuesday's sale.
The new precautions will require anyone visiting the facility to sign a deceleration form registering their name, contact details and travel status.
As well as a deceleration form, the new restrictions also mean Gunnedah's canteen facilities and drinking fountains will be unavailable.
Much like Tamworth, people not essential to the sale process are advised to stay away from the facility.