Not so holy here at Roma salesyard, I am afraid! In this huge salesyard, spanning almost 123 acres, up to 12,000 head of cattle are sold in one day.
When we arrived at 8.30am, we could hardly understand our guides, farmers Jim and Jeff, over all the mooing. The most noise came from the young calves having been caged separately from their mothers. A cruel but necessary step, we were told.
And then the auctions of the diverse herds started with vendor agents presiding the bidding which proceeded with astonishing speed. Obviously, the buyers had been there early to check out the stock.
If single beasts didn’t match up, they were dabbed with a brush of yellow or blue paint, to be sold per head later on. The purchased herds of cows, heifers, calves and bulls were then herded from cage to cage through so-called “slammers”, gates slamming shut behind them, until they reached the scales. Herds sell by cents per kilogram - Jim threatened to put us on the scales, but thought, he wouldn’t get very much for us!
And this was the main aim of todays “Store Sale”, to purchase stock for fattening up, and some bulls for breeding purposes.
When I heard that a breeding bull could fetch up to $5000, I made a quick calculation looking at Austin, who thinks himself being such a “stud”! I decided against the sale, thinking of the cost of replacing my driver, mechanic and tourist guide, next to some other qualifications.