TO THE call of ‘sale-o, sale-o’ buyers, producers and onlookers gathered round to see the ribbon cut at the official opening of the extensions to the Victorian Livestock Exchange (VLE), Leongatha, on Thursday.
Mr Ben Hardman, Victorian parliamentary secretary for agriculture and MLA for Seymour was given the honour and said that the saleyard extension, developed at a cost of $2.5 million, played “an important role” in the local economy and that its focus on the National Livestock Identification System had “helped protect Victoria’s reputation as a clean and healthy producer of meat”.
The first pen of the day, sold under David Phelan and Co, Leongatha and auctioned by Peter Dwyer, Landmark, donated by Windsor Park, reached $1000 or 226 cents a kilogram to Eddy Hams, Landmark, Leongatha, with a further $790 in the same pen snapped up by Barry McGrath, Leongatha South, at $790.
The proceeds of the sale were divided between the Koonwarra CFA and Koonwarra Sustainable Community Group.
Mr Phelan described the new extensions as “marvellous” and that private ownership was important to maintaining up-to-date stockyards.
“The days have gone of municipal councils being able to provide facilities that meet regulations.
“These yards are a very good facility and a big asset to South Gippsland, its cattle producers and agents.”
He said that the yards attracted greater numbers and with that, increased competition at weekly prime markets and fortnightly store markets, “there’s been a lot of plusses”.
Watching over the opening, VLE managing director Graham Osborne said the extension was the continuation of a whole strategy which began five years ago, together with the goal of expanding the company.
The original building, built in 2005, annually turns over $100 million in value of goods exchanged and, “pivotal to the community”, Mr Osborne said that it is necessary that it be “efficient, transparent and that goods are transacted in good condition”.
“The intention to extend was to create a centre for basic catchment and to hopefully bring back in cattle that were bypassing saleyards.”
He said that VLE had done so very efficiently and that the rationalisation of Gippsland’s saleyards had seen the creation of the best yards in Australia.
A second VLE selling centre at Pakenham has surged forward with increased throughputs, evident of the shift towards larger selling centres.
“We’ve set the standard at Pakenham and expect this yard to follow.
“Small yards will struggle to stay abreast of modern technology, sheer efficiency and work safety; they don’t have the skill base and sheer scale of economics.”
He said that rationalisation of yards was a win-win situation for everyone involved.
“Well-located, good facilities that can hold big numbers are the way of the future.”
VLE will now continue with phase three of the VLE Leongatha expansions and divert full attention to the company’s plans for Garvoc in western Victoria.