It was the elephant in the room but the recent arrest of Western Victoria Livestock Exchange (WVLX) director Rohan Arnold was more the subject of humour than serious concern for vendors at the opening of the new saleyards at Mortlake.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr Arnold’s arrest in Serbia last week in connection with a $500 million cocaine bust sent shockwaves through the south-west livestock industry and had other WVLX directors reeling.
WVLX director Brendan Abbey said Mr Arnold’s arrest had been a major distraction to the big workload of final preparations for the saleyards’ opening.
He said the company was working to end its association with Mr Arnold who was one of nine shareholders in WVLX.
Cattle vendor Darren Renstch of Penshurst was more concerned about the price he got for a Angus bull he sold at the opening sale than Mr Arnold’s arrest.
He believed too many drug smugglers were not apprehended and was pleased that authorities had been able to detect the 1.2 tonne of cocaine in Sydney that was connected to Mr Arnold’s arrest.
Fellow vendor at the new saleyards Bradley Bensch of Tarrington said Mr Arnold’s arrest did not cast any doubt upon the legitimacy of the new saleyards for him.
Mr Bensch said he hoped the authorities could catch as many drug smugglers as possible.
He was more concerned with the good facilities at the new saleyards and the pleasing price of 253c/kilogram he received for the five bullocks he sold at the opening sale.
Mr Bensch said he normally sold at the Hamilton saleyards but would consider selling more in future at Mortlake which had “a good set up.”
