Video celebrates 85 Years of Dalby Regional Saleyards
Published on 05 June 2026
The community is invited to join in celebrating the 85-year anniversary of the Dalby Regional Saleyards, a cornerstone of Queensland's livestock industry since its establishment in 1941.
The milestone will be marked with the launch of a new Western Downs Regional Council video, Dalby Regional Saleyards: Come for the cattle, stay for the stories, celebrating the rich history of the yards and their significance in bringing people together across generations of the livestock industry.
Narrated by Western Downs Mayor Andrew Smith, the new video captures the spirit of the yards, highlighting the connection people have with the facility and its importance to the community across generations.
The 85-year celebration will be held on Friday, 3 July 2026, coinciding with the judging of the 2026 Ekka Prime Beef Competition, and both events will take place at the Dalby Regional Saleyards.
Western Downs Regional Council Spokesperson for Business Strategy and Economic Development Cr Megan James said the event was an opportunity to reflect on the rich history of the region's livestock industry and recognise the individuals and families who have shaped the yards over the decades.
"Originally known as the Dalby Municipal Saleyards, the facility has played a vital role in Queensland's livestock industry for generations, supporting producers, agents, and the wider community while helping to drive the region's economic strength," Cr James said.
"The modern-day Dalby Regional Saleyards continues to stand at the heart of our thriving cattle industry.
"As one of the largest livestock selling centres in the country, the yards sell more than 200,000 head of cattle each year, with the 2025/26 financial year shaping up to be the largest sale year on record.
"Today, 44 per cent of Australia's feedlot capacity is located within 200 kilometres of Dalby and the Western Downs region is home to 84 registered feedlots, reinforcing the national significance of the Dalby Regional Saleyards.
" As part of the celebrations, Western Downs Regional Council will launch a new history wall capturing the stories, milestones, and people who have contributed to the saleyards' success since its establishment.
"We've scoured historical archives, records, and news articles to record the history of the cattle sales and the inception of the yards as we know them today, dating all the way back to 1863," Cr James said.
"The history wall is a celebration not only of history, but of the strength, resilience, and future of the cattle industry in the Western Downs.
"The Dalby Regional Saleyards 85-Year Anniversary and history wall unveiling is a free event and I'd encourage anyone who has had any association with the yards, past or present, to come along and celebrate this wonderful milestone."
Event Details:
What: Dalby Regional Saleyards 85-Year Anniversary Celebration
When: Friday, 3 July 2026, 10:00am
Where: Dalby Regional Saleyards
View the Dalby Regional Saleyards: Come for the cattle, stay for the stories video here: https://wdrc.au/saleyards-85-years.