THE annual Big Country Brahman sale has been postponed for a second time due to uncertainty surrounding when flood impacted roads in the region will reopen.
The sale has been delayed for one week and is now scheduled to take place at the Dalrymple Saleyards on Monday, February 25 and Tuesday, February 26. It had been due to take place next Monday and Tuesday after it was rescheduled from the original date of February 5 and 6, also due to rain.
Geaney's Real Estate and Livestock agents Jim Geaney said two roads to the north of Charters Towers remained closed and it was uncertain when they would reopen, thus making it necessary to delay the sale by one week.
“Because of the road closures and the uncertainty of when they will reopen, the Big Country Sale had been postponed to the 25th and 26th,” Mr Geaney said.
He said the bridge over the Clarke River had been inundated and Charters Towers Regional Council was awaiting a report on its integrity.
The road between Bassalt River and Herveys Range is also under a shadow as it is currently restricted to a five tonne weight limit.
“We made the decision to postpone this afternoon, because we can’t have that uncertainty. The lifting of that five tonne limit is not guaranteed by Friday, and one road is subject to the other.”
Mr Geaney said about one sixth of the bulls in the sale were coming from the Greenvale area, and required those roads for access.
“Brian Hughes (Lanes Creek) one of our biggest vendors is among those coming from the northern region, that area contributes roughly 16 per cent of the yarding.”
Mr Geaney said his heart went of out graziers heavily impacted by the flooding disaster in the north west.
“It is a weather event that has been unprecedented and of course our hearts go out to anyone in the cattle industry.
“It is a very close industry and everyone knows each other personally, which makes it all so much more difficult to understand.
“While we know the west of course is suffering badly, in the areas that have been lucky to receive general rain they will at least be able to buy with confidence on a market that may be a little less competitive.”
A total of 365 Brahman bulls and stud heifers will be yarded at this year’s sale.
