The cattle industry is big business in the Hunter Valley.
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A quick check of the stock sales shows that thousands of beasts are being sent to markets across the region each week.
Meat and Livestock Australia tells us that we are one of the world’s leading exporters of commercial livestock in terms of volume and animal welfare standards.
The livestock trade is a significant contributor to the Australian rural economy and has provided an
important market for cattle producers for more than 30 years.
The industry is also a major employer.
That’s why it’s pleasing to see a Rutherford company recognised for designing a piece of equipment that improves “the ease and safety of all animal husbandry from the mouth to the tail”.
Murray Schaefer and his team at National Stockyard Systems finished runner-up with their Top End Plus 200 cattle crash in the prestigious Henty Machinery Field Days Machine of the Year Award.
And, more importantly, they are among only a handful of companies that supply livestock-handling equipment that is manufactured in Australia.
“Most other suppliers source their product from China. The only way we can survive is to be truly innovative and constantly improve our products and range,” Mr Schaefer said.
National Stockyard Systems has already spent more than $100,000 on product development and patents and registered designs to protect its market position and has shown that it can compete with the big boys on the international stage.
Mr Schaefer and his team are an inspiration to us all.
Well done.