Today is the last time Landmark will hold a weaner calf sale at the 8.7 hectare Goulburn saleyards.
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The complex has played a prominent role in the life and development of the local livestock market for past eight decades. Each year the saleyards sold about 45,000 head of cattle and 250,000 sheep.
Landmark Goulburn’s manager, Daniel Croker, who has been with Landmark for 25 years, said it was unfortunate to see the yards that had produced so much history in the region, close.
“Over the years, a lot of calves have been through those saleyards,” Mr Croker said.
“Three special calf sales there every year attracted over 10,000 head in three sales alone.”
In March 1929, not long after the venue’s opening, a record number of 55,000 head of livestock were sold through the yards.
In the 1970s it is also reported that significant numbers were sold there, with current owner, Bill Vowles, now also the principal of Kattle Gear Australia, reciting memories from drovers who used to work the yards in the heyday of the ‘70s.
“Goulburn in the 1970s was huge. Drovers remember up to 40,000 sheep coming through the yards, backed up the next day with 5000 head of cattle,” he said.
Mr Vowles bought Goulburn saleyards in 2000. By 2002 Goulburn was the fourth-biggest sheep selling centre in NSW.
He entered into the venture in the attempt to keep Goulburn’s hopes alive when it came to establishing a new selling centre. But a lack of support, he said, from local and state government, meant no backing for his project.
In August 2016 a $15-million, state-of-the-art South Eastern Livestock Exchange (SELX) opened on 14 hectares at Yass.
Mr Vowles believes part of the reason for the closure of the yards stems from the decision by agents and producers to transfer their allegiance to Yass.
“Stock and station agents and producers have decided to take their stock to Yass. It is just not viable to continue to run the Goulburn yards,” he said. “As a result of us appraising the situation, we have decided not to renew our EPA licence.”
He said it is good to see the complex at Yass servicing the area well. “It is working very effectively for the producers and the agents – so that is a win for the industry,” he said.
Today’s final sale will see more than 2500 cold country weaner calves offered through Landmark Goulburn.
With the hopeful prospect of establishing a new major wool selling centre in the city, one can hope it will be the start of a new era for the once-booming livestock centre.