Sales are being held in drought-stricken towns across the state for the first time in years as the dry conditions ease and restocker demand rises.
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Glen Innes is among the growing number of towns who are bringing sales back with a yarding of 972 head going under the hammer last Friday to buyers keen to capitalise on plenty of feed on the ground and confidence in the market.
Chris Alt from Glen Innes Elders said it was the first store sale that had been held in 18 months in the town because of the drought and lack of cattle.
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But due to demand and a bid to boost employment locally, he said they were going to bring back the store sale to Glen Innes once a month.
"Glen Innes used to have a fat sale weekly but people have been going west to bigger selling centres," Mr Alt said.
"The whole industry and community benefits when you have local people in the yards."
Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall, who was at the sale, said: "it was great to see the Glen Innes saleyards back in action and packed full of restockers."
"Demand is red-hot at the moment, which is reflected of what we all knew would happen when conditions eased," Mr Marshall said.
"There is confidence in the market, which is driven by plenty of feed about.
"It's also good to see activity at our saleyards for restockers rather than people having to get rid of cattle because they have no feed."
Mr Marshall echoed Mr Alt's sentiments saying activity in the saleyards helped to inject funds back into regional economies.
"Whenever we see good sales and money spent, it all greases the wheels of local towns and economies, which is good to see," he said.
The steer portion of the sale was very strong with a young pen of Angus steers selling for over $1600 per head. The majority of the cattle weighed from 180 kilograms to 280kg.
After three years of drought and a $12 million dollar upgrade to its saleyards, Scone is set to hold its first store sale since 2018 on June 4.
Davidson and Cameron agent Warick Clydesdale said they had more than 700 head booked in so far.
"We've had three to four years of proper drought, but since the middle of January it started to rain," Mr Clydesdale said.
"This area is in big restocking mode, it warranted putting a sale on to let people buy some cattle."
He said the sale would be through the ring and set up with Stocklive, allowing people to watch and bid online.
"We'll see how this goes, hopefully we'll get a roll on and keep the store sale going once a month."
Journalist based on the Mid North Coast for The Land.
Journalist based on the Mid North Coast for The Land.
