SALEYARDS of the future, where, what and how will they be? There will always be a need for saleyards, as not all farmers will be able to meet the number, criteria, or the quality that will suit processors.
Most importantly store cattle markets will continue, but what are the alternatives, or potential dangers to current saleyards? Do we need more or less saleyards, and what will the future hold?
I have just come back from Perth, and while there I visited the Muchea selling complex, one of the most recent, large and expensive saleyards. There was roughly 2,000 head penned, Monday, with most being pastoral cattle from the Gascoyne and Pilbara, and goldfields country.
They travel long distances to Muchea, but what are the alternatives there? AuctionsPlus has increased their share of the market substantially over the past two years, and this could be one option.
Last Friday, at Myrtleford, Paull & Scollard combined with AuctionsPlus in an interface sale, to enhance the competition for their yarding of 1340 head of steers, heifers, cows and calves, and joined females. Was it a success? Yes. Will there be more? Yes.
Over the hooks selling has also increased, and potentially continue to improve as producers seek other ways of selling. Many consider that saleyard selling is too costly, and too hit and miss. Direct selling, done properly offers known outcomes for known product at known prices.
Do we need more saleyards? LaTrobe City Council has just approved a pre-feasibility study to see whether a new saleyard would be viable in their shire.
The modern saleyard is costly to build, and i would suggest that citing is very important. However, with the increase of direct selling, and the rise of Auctions Plus, would a new saleyard be sensible. I think the writting is on the wall for a number of saleyards that are not people or livestock friendly.
Equally important is being able to find a saleyard if you are new to the industry, or haven’t been to a new complex. I had a message from a producer who thought he would check out the new Wodonga complex at Barnawartha. However, there is no sign on the Hume highway to indicate where it is.
Vic Roads are the responsible authority, and a request to the Wodonga City Council should get the right response. A comment was passed that Vic Roads said no, but why would that be when the Woolworths Logics Centre, on the same road, has a pointer sign?
Change will come, and some may not see it, but rest assured rationalisation will occur.
