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Liveweight cattle buying centre opens at Devonport

2004-09-20



Farmers in the Devonport district who want to sell cattle will soon have a Greenham Tasmania liveweight buying centre at their doorstep.

Smithton-based meat exporter Greenham Tasmania is setting up the new centre at Devonport because of the success of similar local centres around the State and increasing demand from suppliers.

Greenham livestock manager Adam Pretty said producers tell the company they find the centres convenient to use, and save time and costs in trucking cattle to the abattoir.

“With six buying centres now operating around State producers won’t have far to haul their cattle to for weighing and payment by cheque on the spot,” Mr Pretty said.

“In fact, farmers fact can leave our centres with a cheque in their pocket, go straight to the nearest bank and have the money the same day.

“And there are significant cost benefits as well,” he said. “A typical sale per head by traditional methods will leave the seller with deductions of $39. It costs nothing to sell direct to a Greenham Tasmania buying centre.

“It would be worth a farmer’s while to try out the new centre especially as our prices for all processing stock types, including Jap ox, all cows, yearlings, bulls, and export steers are as high now as they have ever been.”

The new facility will operate at the DCA ramp, Quoiba, from 9.00 am until 12.00 noon every Tuesday from October 5.

Greenham Tasmania agent and experienced cattle buyer Nick Strickland will be operating the Devonport selling centre. Local enquires can be directed to him on: 6452 2701 or mobile: 0417 335 843.

The Devonport facility is the sixth Greenham buying centre to be brought into operation since the company bought and re-started the failed Blue Ribbon Smithton plant in the State’s north-west in early 2002.