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Meet the LMO: Caroline Ronald
02 May 2019
Twenty-six Livestock Market Officers (LMOs) currently work across Australia as part of MLA’s National Livestock Reporting Service. Covering more than 3,000 markets a year and thousands of kilometres between them, LMOs attend and report on up to 70 of the nation’s cattle, sheep and goat sales on a weekly basis.
This week, we talk to Caroline Ronald about her sales patch in Victoria and how the markets are tracking.
Where are you based and what are your regular markets?
I am based in the Wangaratta region. I cover Corowa sheep and lamb sale and frequently relieve cattle and sheep markets in Victoria and southern NSW.
What are some of the challenges or opportunities for livestock producers in your part of Australia right now?
The major challenge for producers in the areas I cover is the lack of rainfall and uncertainty of a good autumn break. The lack of run-off water has put producers in a precarious position. For example, one producer has just sold all their cows and calves after carting water for six months.
It’s the same situation for sheep. A lot of light sheep are coming through the saleyards because producers can’t afford to keep them.
We hear so much about the drought in Queensland or NSW, but in Victoria, things are pretty tough for a lot of producers as well.
What’s a hot topic around the catwalks of the saleyards you cover at the moment?
On the last rain a month ago, prices for store cattle rose $200 to $300 per head. I hear a lot of discussion relating to the difficulty producers will have being able to buy back in after offloading during the drought.
What’s the best part about your job?
I love what I do as I am very passionate about the livestock industry and have lots of favourite parts of my job. Every sale is different and I love the people. Some days are very amusing and I hardly feel like I’m at work.
When you’re not at the saleyards, where would we find you?
Chasing the campdraft circuit with my three children or hanging out in the Upper Murray at Corryong on my partner’s property.
What’s your favourite red meat meal?
A rare scotch fillet.
