After a long year of no sales, today the Lismore Saleyards opened their gates for the first time since last year’s disaster.

There was a big crowd on site, as just under 1,000 head of Weaner cattle went under the hammer, with well-known Lismore auctioneer Kevin Cocciola calling the shots.  

“Sale-o, sale-o, sale-o!” Mr Cocciola’s voice bellowed across the yards, and the sales were back.

Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg officially reopened the yards, and thanked everyone involved in the rebuild.

“It’s really good to be here, and it’s really good to see the yards not only back to where they were, but I reckon they’re looking better than ever,” Mr Krieg said.

The Saleyards are owned by Lismore City Council, but are leased to Ian Weir and Son, who manage the facility.

Neil Short, from Ian Weir and Son, said it had been a big job to get back, but felt like they’d never been away.

“The flood went up to a metre from the roof here, so we lost all of the electrical systems - we’ve replaced panels, painted, made structural improvements, two new office buildings – yeah, it’s just good to be back,” Mr Short said.

“We’ll have about 15 staff here today, plus the eight permanents, so great for business too.”

The Lismore App reported yesterday (Depression and anxiety rife among Northern Rivers and Aussie farmers) on a new report that showed close to a third (30%) of Australia's farmers have had a decline in their mental health over the past few years.

Mr Short said reopening facilities like this are an opportunity to bring people back together, and get farmers talking.

“The flood kept a lot of these old farmers away – there’s blokes here from Bonalbo, a guy from Kyogle just walked in - from everywhere - Meerschaum Vale, Dorroughby, Nimbin,” he said.

State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin was also amongst the crowd, and said it was great to see the saleyards reopen.

“People have already come up to me and said, this is great, we don't want to go to Casino, we want to be here in Lismore,” Ms Saffin said.

“It's been a long road, and a hard road but there's a lot of smiles on people's faces and, a big call out to Ian Weir and Son, they run a good show.”

Ms Saffin also agreed the reopening of the Saleyards is important for the wellbeing of farmers.

“It's really important for mental health - look it's business, that's what farmers do - but it's also social, and that's what they need,” she said.

“They need to be here having a yarn with each other, the Lions are here with breakfast, sausages and eggs and bacon and all of that - so it's just really nice, and nice to see lots of smiles.”

Upcoming sales in Lismore will be held on the following dates:

·     Saturday 1st April 10am Medlyn Angus Stud Breeder Sale

·     Tuesday April 4th 7.30am Prime and Weaner sale

·     Saturday April 15th 9am Special Breeder Sale

·     Tuesday April 18th 7.30am Prime Sale, followed by Special Weaner Sale