TWO new multi-centre bulk billing services are more than likely to be up and running before the start of the new financial year if whispers on the industry’s grapevine are true.
That was the word around the saleyards last week as private agents, in particular, look to shield themselves from buyers defaulting on payments.
Market centres most likely to be involved in the formation of these multi-centre bulk billing services are: Mount Gambier, Millicent, Naracoorte and Horsham in the South Australian border district while Ballarat, Geelong, Colac, Camperdown and Warrnambool private agents are also said to be locked in similar serious discussions.
The major pastoral houses of Elders and Landmark will likely continue to run their own services as is the case in Gippsland.
If these moves are successful this would provide blanket coverage for sheep, lamb and cattle purchases over the whole of the south western buying circuit as Hamilton private agents have for some years now operated its own stand-alone unit.
The word about the saleyards is that if the latter of the two networks fails to form - as it did two years ago - a stand-alone Ballarat bulk billing service will definitely be established. In the event of that happening an invitation to join would likely be extended to Bendigo which would effectively lock into one service the State’s two largest sheep and lamb market centres.
One source suggested a multi-network bulk billing service could eventually be rolled out to cover all selling centres across the State.
*Extract. Full report Stock & Land, May 21.
