Strong six months for the Tasmania Livestock Exchange

The Tasmania Livestock Exchange (TLX) is part of Nutrien Ag Solutions’ rebrand of the livestock sales industry in Tasmania.

TLX Manager Andrew Palmer says Covid-19 has caused very minimal disruptions to regular sales at the TLX, the states major livestock selling centre.

“Since our first sale in September last year, we have maintained strong competition and held good volumes of top-quality livestock,” Mr Palmer says.

Mr Palmer says all sales at TLX have been well attended by Tasmanian farmers and buyers, and local Tasmanian representatives for interstate buyers. 

“We are focused on delivering a premier sale yard experience to all livestock buyers, sellers and agents - in January we had one buyer purchase five truckloads of mutton (1,800 head).”

Mr Palmer says since border restrictions have eased, they are now welcoming back regular buyers from the mainland.

“This is a single-point selling centre only 20 minutes from Launceston airport, so the facility is really well positioned for buyers travelling interstate,” Mr Palmer says.

“The cattle prices we experienced in the saleyards in February and March were phenomenal and have continued to be into our weaner sales with steer prices pushing up to 800 cents per kilogram.”

Restrictions caused by Covid over the past year has seen many livestock sales move online, but Mr Palmer doesn’t think there will be a permanent shift away from traditional livestock auctions.

“It’s great to see the industry embracing this new online approach to selling and buying livestock. The use of technology and other digital solutions is saving time, money, and has added animal welfare and biosecurity benefits, but nothing can beat the smells and sounds of the saleyards – it’s such a great atmosphere.”

For more information visit the Tasmania Livestock Exchange website: https://taslx.com.au/ or follow them on their social media platforms.

Photo credit: Madeleine Muirhead, Nutrien Ag Solutions.