There will be a competition for cattle dogs and sheep dogs on the Friday and Saturday followed by the auction. Prices are expected to be $4,000 to $7,000 though $10,000 is not unknown. 

Shad Bailey of Colin Say & Co in Glen Innes said that the system for selling was both online and then on site on Saturday. Buyers have been bidding online through the week and the final online price becomes the starting price on Saturday.

The two day event starts with dog trials in an open class – not necessarily of dogs to be sold. Both cattle and sheep dogs will compete, with prizes of $2,500 on offer for each.

About 130 dogs will compete (28 to be auctioned, 75 in the open cattle category and 30 in the open sheep category).

Dog auctions have traditionally been the preserve of the south of the country – southern New South Wales and Victoria – but Shad Bailey said they were trying to build themarket up in Glen Innes as a hub for northern NSW and Queensland.

Here’s the schedule: vendor trial over two rounds, Friday & Saturday; open sheep yard trial 8.00am, Friday; Open cattle trial 8.00am, Friday; Demonstrations (cattle) 9.00am, Saturday; Demonstrations (sheep) 10.30am, Saturday. Auction, 1.30 pm , Saturday.