By Dominique Tassell
Ross Ellis, an agent for McDougall & Sons, has a long history of involvement at the saleyards.
“I used to bring the TAFE students over,“ he said.
In the 80s, students would come to the saleyards to study shearing and wool classing.
When Jim Brown died, he said he was asked to do “the sheep side of things“.
In 2012, on the saleyards 50th anniversary, property coordinator Peter Gribbin said times had changed over the past five decades, but the saleyards remained a vital part of the region.
“50 years ago we yarded 13,450 head of cattle, last year yarded 58,300 head,” he said at the time. “Of course, sheep numbers have declined over the 50 years, I think in 1963 97,000 sheep were sold (while in 2011) 75,000 sheep were sold.“
“We have people that sold the first beast who are still selling and buying cattle through the yards, so we’ve had an unknown number of characters through the yards.“
Ross said the sheep numbers are still declining.
“We have half the sheep that we used to have in the 80s, in Australia.“
“Once the reserve price fell through, that was the end of the wool industry,“ he said.
Ross said he can remember when sheep got to the bottom of the pile.
“I remember a pen of wethers being sold for the price of two ice creams,“ he said. “Ice creams sold for 25c back in those days.“
He said the sale, which was a fair while ago now, saw the seller state “if you take them, I’ll buy you an ice cream“.
Ross said the reserve price scheme collapse had a huge impact on the industry.
He said the scheme guaranteed producers so much money for their wool and made the industry more sustainable.
“It was a good scheme,“ he said. “But like all schemes, it started to get a bit too greedy.“
The system was successful until the mid-80s when the relevant Minister was removed from the reserve price setting process and the Wool Council took on the responsibility. The high price they set encouraged an over-production of wool.
The reserve price scheme was officially suspended in February 1991.
The saleyards have seen an increase in the production of other livestock, such as goats in recent times.
“People are taking advantage of what was previously overlooked,“ Ross said.
“Goats have seen a large increase.“
Ross said the industry is on the rise but is nearly at saturation level at the moment.
“We’re finding it harder and harder to place our goats,“ he said. “They do breed, drought doesn’t seem to worry them.“
McDougall & Sons, now over 130 years old, has been involved with the saleyards since their inception.
The business dates back to the pioneer days of 1890, which makes it the oldest performing Stock & Station Agency in Queensland.
