More than 9000 head were yarded at today’s Virbac Weaner Sale. Photo: Tamworth Agents

TAMWORTH agents have yarded more than 9000 head today in one of the biggest sales the facility has ever held.

Originally, 10,000 head were booked into the Tamworth Regional Livestock Exchange (TRLX) from across the New England and Northwest for the 9th annual Virbac Weaner Challenge and feature sale.

The sale is a significant increase on last year’s equivalent event where more than 7000 head were yarded. According to the Tamworth Livestock Selling Agents Association, the top pens so far have sold for more than $1540 and $1450.

The winning pen came from the Maria River Cattle Co.

TLSAA president Angus Newcombe said the sale was the third and final in a series of 2023 feature sales.

“We have an outstanding line up of weaners from the tablelands all the way through to the slopes and plains with at least 3 past winners back to have another go at the title” Mr Newcombe said.

“Every one of our agencies has worked very hard to build the reputation of Tamworth as the number one cattle selling centre in NSW and many vendors specifically target this Virbac sale because they know what a great reputation it has. Together, that means we are attracting better cattle, more buyers – many who travel great distances – and more competition,” he said

For the second year in a row, the best of the best were be judged by Peter Baldwin, CEO of Australian Livestock Property Agents Association (ALPA) and local commission buyer, Greg Callinan.

“Peter is a great friend of our association, being born and bred in Inverell, and Greg is highly regarded with a great eye for cattle. We are privileged they are attending our sale and have agreed to judge,” he said.

Together they will choose the best pen of heifers and steers, and runners up, and overall champion with the winners taking home Virbac product and cash prizes.

After selling into the dark last year, agents decided early on to restrict the sale to weaners and yearlings only with a Feature Female and Wrap Up weaner sale added next Friday 21 April.

Source: TLSAA