Since July this year, the CWLE has averaged 2500 cattle yarded per week, and just this Monday had 3200 head passing through the enclosure. 

To help accommodate the increase in livestock sales, council is developing plans to build extra pens to the east and west of the existing facility.

It is not yet known how many pens would be added, but Forbes Shire Council’s director of engineering and technical services Ray Graham said development would most likely begin early next year.

“We need to increase the capacity of the facility,” he said.

“But we want to make sure we get the flow of livestock right and we also need to think about how it will look in the future if we need to expand again.

“We don’t want a short term fix.”

Mr Graham said he is confident that the CWLE will sustain its increase in cattle sales and is not concerned that the expansion will go unused. 

“While we won’t maintain these record numbers, I think we will maintain these above average numbers,” he said. 

“The volumes at the moment are not sustainable but for all centres, including Dubbo, Carcoar, Wagga, Gunnedah, Tamworth and here, there has been a general increase.”

The spike in sales across the state has been fed by dry seasonal conditions in north west NSW coupled with strong prices which Mr Graham said are “holding at pretty good levels”.

The Forbes CWLE is the second biggest centre for sheep sales and the sixth largest for cattle in NSW.

Mr Graham said an expansion could only increase the reputation and scale of operation at the CWLE. 

“It would make the facility a lot more attractive and give a better presentation of the livestock,” he said. 

“Also it would attract buyers from the major meatworks and feedlots if they know we can satisfy their purchasing requirements.”