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Camels bought at auction - for weed control

09 Apr, 2008 06:18 PM
There was one definite conclusion from the first-ever camel auction held in Charters Towers, North Queensland, on the weekend - they weren’t as dear as chemical weed killers.

With camels having proven their ability to assist in weed control, several graziers took the opportunity on Saturday to invest in something other than chemicals to reduce woody weed numbers.

A total of 73 camels were sold under the hammer at the Dalrymple Stadium, while others sold after the auction.

Top price for a single camel was for a cow, at $650.

Cows averaged $350 and a cow with calf sold for $800.

Top price bull camel went for $500, with bull camels averaging $246.

The top priced bullock also sold for $500, with an average of $420, and the top yearling bull made $200, with an average of $200.

In all, the total sale grossed $26,500 for the 81 camels sold, with an average of $328.

Vendors for the sale were WH Carter and Co, and J and M Wharton.

The sale was conducted by Geaney's, Charters Towers.

Auctioneer Jim Geaney said he was pleased with the result from the auction and that the prices had met the market.

SOURCE: North Queensland Register, April 10

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comments


Date: Newest first | Oldest first
Well well. How clever are we in this country! You shoot them from planes and leave them die claiming they are responsible for the years of idiots unable to introduce proper programs. Then you have to pay wopping prices to get some to do what they were doing in the first place. Pity they didnt think of that before they slaughtered millions of animals without any regard for them or a sensible industry. This really is beyond the pale.
Posted by pale, 10/04/2008 4:38:21 PM
hi pale, not sure what you mean by when ' they slaughtered millions' ; this hasnt happened yet but the Govts (State) have been 'researching' the problem for years, and the recommendation of mass culling has been a recommendation of every report I have seen so far. I sincerely hope the Govts actually invest in developing an industry also, and I agree with your comments generally all the same.
Posted by Sas, 13/04/2008 4:26:43 PM
I know a landowner in Victoria who swears that his camel 'Mostafa' is the greatest weed controller ever invented. The camel is so effective at weed control that the owner wishes he had more weeds for him to eat. It just shows that often the problem of land degradation can often be the solution if only we look out side the square or paddock! Perhaps we should be looking at other problems i.e. weeds and vermins as resources instead of just as costly problems?
Posted by TTP, 14/04/2008 1:55:51 PM

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