A YARDING of almost 1800 good quality cattle will go under the hammer at the Mareeba Saleyards 70th anniversary store sale tomorrow.
Mareeba Saleyards administration manager Jayne Hogarth said a major celebration was being held on the day to coincide with the sale.
“It is our first store sale for the year and we wanted it to coincide with the 70th anniversary, having hosted the first sale on May 19, 1948,” Ms Hogarth said. A complimentary breakfast for sellers and buyers will be served from 7.30am, and there will be trade displays.
Four prizes will be awarded for the best pen of Brahman steers, Brahman heifers, crossbreed steers and crossbreed heifers.
Judging of stock will commence at 8am, with presentations and birthday cake before the sale at 10am.
“We have just under 1800 head booked for the sale, which for our store sales is about normal, but it is quite big for the first one of the year,” Ms Hogarth said.
“The 70th anniversary is pretty significant as we are the oldest business in Mareeba.
“The saleyards is still owned by shareholders, not council like a lot of others, it is owned by the graziers.”
Landmark Mareeba auctioneer Alan Mackenzie, who has been selling there for 40 years, said it would be a big day for Mareeba.
“We have some very good quality cattle… and we usually get a good turn out at these sorts of sales, but the price has eased off a bit.”
Cattle will be drawn from across the North, including 180 very good quality Brahman steers from Gunnawarra at Mount Garnet, which are among 1267 steers. Sixty-two mickeys, 389 heifers, 10 cows and 57 cows and calves are also listed.
