DEVELOPERS of the $20 million Northern Victorian Livestock Exchange (NVLX) expect to attract producers with direct processor contracts back into the saleyards, with a target to sell 250,000 cattle annually within five years.
Situated 20 kilometres west of Wodonga, the new Barnawartha North site is expected to take-over cattle sales from the old Bandiana-located saleyards in the first quarter of 2015.
Regional Infrastructure Proprietary Limited (RIPL) currently operates five livestock exchange facilities across eastern Australia including Central Tablelands Livestock Exchange (CTLX) in Carcoar, NSW, which was built in 2008 and amalgamated Orange, Blayney and Bathurst saleyards.
"If we use Carcoar as an example, what we have seen is the catchment expand," RIPL general manager Garry Edwards said.
Check out the video from the opening of the NVLX
"We have also seen a number of producers switch from direct-selling to marketing in a competitive market because larger regional facilities by their nature have greater and more transparent market competition.
"Generally where you get greater volume of livestock you get greater buyers and greater stability in prices."
The modern complex is located on a 105 hectare site near the Murray Valley and Hume Highways and includes 1.77ha roof that covers 296 selling pens, four automated weigh stations and processing areas.
The new cattle facility covers an area of 28,271 square metres and features 2830sqm holding pens with feeding facilities, 13 ramps including electrically adjustable delivery ramps and 72ha of holding paddocks.
Mr Edwards said the new development would lift the standard of livestock selling in Victoria.
"We would clearly like to see a general improvement in all facilities because a lot of them require some degree of investment to bring them up to standard," he said.
"What we are after is a viable industry and yes we will be a participant, but we will need everyone else to attempt to raise their standards to improve the overall quality."
NVLX has leading animal welfare conditions for cattle with non-bruise panelling, soft floor pens and reduced human-animal interaction through automated systems.
"Animal welfare will continue to be an issue for those facilities that have been unable to invest in upgrades, but it is an issue that won't go away and one that we need to embrace if we want to stay in the industry for the long-term," MR Edwards said.
"I don't see animal welfare as a standalone bad thing - if we want to be in the industry we want to achieve these standards in our own right not because a third party says it is the thing to do."
About 600 people visited the site at the NVLX official opening on the weekend.
The project has also been impacted by controversy with opponents taking their protest about the change of location to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
Elders Albury livestock manager Matt Tinkler said there were still people who had reservations about the new facility.
Annabelle Beale
National Sheep & Wool Writer for Fairfax Agricultural Media
National Sheep & Wool Writer for Fairfax Agricultural Media
