Toowoomba saleyards close, impacting local farmers significantly

Three lifelong friends, Greg Iseppi, Barry Coonan, and Leo McMahon, said goodbye to the last livestock saleyards in their town after working there for a combined 169 years. The saleyards, located in Toowoomba, Queensland, have been part of the agricultural community for over 160 years, but they are now abandoned and closing down. The friends visited the empty site for what may be their final time. Once filled with cattle and buyers, the area now has overgrown weeds and decaying structures. Elders, the agribusiness managing the saleyards, is relocating to a new site without livestock facilities. This move likely means the end of livestock sales in the area. Greg began working at the saleyards in 1956, Leo in 1960, and Barry in 1957. They reminisced about their long careers and the busy days when sales happened multiple times a week. The work was tough and often required long hours, but it formed a big part of their lives. Throughout the years, they witnessed significant changes in the industry, including the introduction of technology and pricing changes. They also experienced tough times, like the cattle price crash in the 1970s, which affected many farmers. The saleyards in Toowoomba have a long history, with the first built in 1860. However, many other saleyards have closed in recent years, leading to long travel distances for farmers. The friends expressed sadness over the closure, as the saleyards provided not just a place for business but also social connections within the agricultural community. Despite the challenges, Greg, Barry, and Leo have no regrets about their careers. They fondly remember the good times and friendships formed over the years, marking the closure of the saleyards as the end of an era for them.