THERE was a new colour, and a new name, but still plenty of familiar faces when the livestock team from McKean McGregor took the rail at the first Ouyen sale of the year.
The Mildura branch of the Bendigo-based business only opened its door for business in December but has very quickly become a major player in the local market.
A marketplace its manager Kelvin Fitzgerald says stretches from Lameroo and surrounds in South Australia to south of Ouyen and across to Hopetoun before heading north across the Murray to Ivanhoe, Balranald and north of Wentworth to places such as Pooncarie.
But if you’re outside those boundaries, Mr Fitzgerald said that’s no problem, they’ll still come to you.
“We’ve got six very experienced agents in our team – plus a new youngster who has just come on board – backed up by two very sharp staff in the administration department,” Mr Fitzgerald said.
“We work with the fortnightly sheep and lamb market at Ouyen, weekly cattle markets and monthly store sales at Echuca and weekly sheep and lamb market at Bendigo.
“Our yarding out at Ouyen was pretty well the biggest on the day and we are hoping to build on that as we move forward.”
Although the branch at 57 Lemon St is a pure livestock business today, Mr Fitzgerald said all the agents have their real estate licences as well and that will be the next step in the development of the business.
But for now, with more than a century of specialist livestock industry in the team, he said the priority would be continuing to build the client base.
And if the Mallee in particular has a strong sheep reputation, Mr Fitzgerald added the cattle business for the new branch is also significant.
“We are already consigning cattle to Echuca and have some good feedlot clients in the region so there is plenty of demand there,” he said.
“While our team will focus on Ouyen we will bob up in Bendigo from time to time if we’re needed to lend a hand there.
“There was a big initial 2025 yarding at Ouyen, with something of a backlog built up after the last 2024 sale, so we anticipate that will slow down a little in coming weeks.”
McKean McGregor Mildura is also turning its attention to the stud industry, and counts operations such as the Wilkinson family’s Camborn White Suffolk and Poll Dorset stud at Pooncarie as clients.
The company’s livestock director Alex Collins describes McKean McGregor as an independent family-owned company established more than a century ago and “built on personalised customer service, strong relationships and a focus on clients”.
“We were established in 1911 in central Victoria and have maintained strong generational relationships with clients and the wider community,” Mr Collins said.
“Our new team in Mildura has added depth to our progressive thinking and cutting-edge marketing techniques, will help ensure our business continues to evolve and grow with our clients into the future.
“Launched in 2024, we are excited to welcome a team of high-calibre local agents who share our core values around trust, client focus, progression and community connection.
“Working out of our Mildura office, the local team will cover a big part of the surrounding three states and offer unparalleled access to a full range of marketing options to ensure the best results possible for your business.”
