SOME of the region's leading stock agents believe lamb and sheep are enjoying a resurgence among the region's farmers.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
One such agent is McCulloch Agencies general manger Daniel McCulloch, who in recent months has helped import between 30 and 40 thousand sheep from Western Australia on behalf of his clients.
"I really think the push for sheep is a generational thing," Mr McCulloch told the Leader.
"A lot of young farmers today probably grew up on their parents properties with cattle.
"However, now they are starting to run things, they are seeing the potential, opportunity and the profits lamb and sheep can offer."
Read Also:
Mr McCulloch said the "quick turnaround" sheep offered allowed farmers the chance of greater profit.
"From buying to being able to sell off sheep, it's around a six to nine month process," he said.
"Comparatively, cattle is more like a 12 month turnaround, so the chance of more regular income is more prevalent with sheep.
"On the other hand, sheep do require a lot more up-keep, regular yarding and treatment a lot more regularly than cattle, which probably only need to be brought in once or twice a year.
"The two do balance themselves out that way, but the reason we have been bringing sheep over from the west has been because once you work out the costs, it is still cheaper than buying them locally.
"On that front, it is probably a little bit easier for people looking to re-enter the market to go with sheep at the moment."
The view of sheep becoming more popular comes as many find renewed faith in the agriculture sector, including long-time Gunnedah stock agent Guy Gallen.
"I think confidence is certainly growing in the industry at the moment," Mr Gallen said.
"The recent rain we have got looks likely to provide some good chances for not just cropping farmers, but stock farmers as well.
"In my opinion, it is pretty simple, we all have to eat, we all have to wear clothes and that can't happen without the agriculture industry."
Mr McCulloch echoed Mr Gallen's sentiments, saying the future was looking bright for the industry.
"The government has brought in some things to help exporters, which is a plus," he said.
"Even still, where the Aussie dollar is sitting was making things pretty good for exporters, while there is a protein shortage across the world due to an outbreak of Swine Flu, as well as us having a strong domestic market.
"I think when you put all of those things together, the next few years could be some of the strongest in the history our sector."
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
