The Journey for South Australian Sheep Producers
For Warren Beattie from Mallee Hill stud at Ceduna, on South Australia’s west coast, travelling long distances for events is something he does not really think about. He has to do it if he wants to showcase his rams to potential buyers. Despite the cost of fuel, Mr Beattie did not think twice about driving the more than 900 kilometres to Broken Hill for this week’s Agfair.
Fuel has cost him about $1,000 for the round trip, but Mr Beattie said it was worth it to meet clients face-to-face. “I love coming up here, it’s a great atmosphere. I have a couple of clients up here so great to catch up with them,” he said. “If people are buying our rams then it is only the right thing to do to come and show them what we have.”
“Obviously it does add up with the fuel at the moment and the accommodation, but the sheep job is really good at the moment, so hopefully that translates through the year.”
The two-day event is held every two years and hosts around 300 exhibitors, including a number of livestock studs, many of which make the trip from South Australia.
Fuel on Board
Steve Lawrie and his daughter Emily run Collandra Merinos at Tumby Bay. They loaded up their 12 rams and left at about 6am on Thursday, arriving at Broken Hill around 3pm. But for them, like the others, it’s worth it. “It’s just about trying to get hold of a different market,” said Mr Lawrie. “Two years ago we got a lot of interest and we managed to pick a client up and hopefully we can do the same again.”
This year apart from the usual items that they pack, including feed and signage, Mr Lawrie said they have also packed fuel for the first time just in case. “Once you start travelling with livestock you can’t stand still for very long,” he said. “If you happen to come across where you need fuel and the service station is empty well you would be in a little bit of strife, so it’s more of a safeguard thing.”
“We also paid a lot cheaper for it to what you’re going to find on the road so that’s an added bonus.”
Worth the Trip for SA Producers
Merino SA president Robert Sullivan from Greenfields Stud at Hallett said it was a good chance to showcase South Australian genetics. “We have some of the best genetics from South Australian studs that a lot of buyers want,” he said. Mr Sullivan said “a lot” of South Australian studs are sold into western New South Wales.
“We want to be able to meet with our clients and support important events like this one, and it’s a good chance to network with other commercial breeders.” Mr Sullivan said he does not believe the current cost of living and fuel prices would affect the number of producers going to other events across the sheep industry calendar.
“Obviously the cost has gone up and it’s something that everyone will take into account, but I think it is very important to still get to these types of events,” he said. “Life has to go on and we grin and bear it.”
He said being able to see a ram in real life rather than a photo will help with sales down the track. “It’s super important to be able to display your livestock and for people to be able to put their hands on them, get a look and feel of the wool and shape and stricture of the sheep, which you can’t always get from a photo online.”
Mr Sullivan said events like Agfair also allow the industry to check-in on each other after some rough years. “A lot of the country has had a pretty tough run the last couple of years, but there is certainly a lot more optimism and confidence out there at the moment,” he said. “With meat and wool prices looking good at the moment hopefully that continues, but it’s always a good chance to check in with everyone at events like this.”
NSW Graziers Welcome SA Studs
Grazier and vice president of Agfair Terry Smith said with recent rains around there were a lot of people willing to come in and spend a bit of money. “It’s great to see these guys roll up even with the way that fuel prices have been.”
Mr Smith said there were concerns in the lead up that fuel prices would affect attendee numbers, but he said it was pleasing to see the crowd and exhibitor numbers up. “We thought we might have been back to a COVID-style situation with numbers, but that didn’t eventuate too much with exhibitors, which is great.”
