When one door closes, another one opens - and that's the case with Tasmania's livestock industry.
Quioba saleyards had its last sale before closure last week and the Powranna site is gearing up to host its first multi-agent sale.
Powranna has been rebranded as the Tasmanian Livestock Exchange and will host weekly sales and a once-a-month multi-agent sale.
Nutrien Ag Solutions and Elders Livestock Agents will both sell stock at the Powranna facility in the coming months, and will move Tasmania to a model that is similar to mainland livestock sales.
It is hoped the move will streamline sales and bring larger stock numbers and price competitiveness to Tasmania.
However concerns have been raised by the Opposition and other farmer groups that the centralisation will be detrimental to farmers on the North-West Coast.
Labor's Primary Industries spokesman Shane Broad said it had left North-West farmers in limbo.
rimary Industries Shane Broad said after standing by as the abattoir shut, the government must now step in and ensure the region gets a new, multi-species abattoir.
"The loss of the Quoiba saleyards will have a huge impact on the North West Coast region," Dr Broad said.
"But, unfortunately, it's an entirely predictable outcome of the government standing by and watching as yet another key livestock industry asset prepared to close.
"Tasmania's red meat industry is at the crossroads and, without government action, smaller players will exit the industry and we will be a one-saleyard state, with the majority of stock shipped and processed on the mainland.
However, TLX general manager Andrew Palmer said the news was a game-changer for Tasmania's livestock industry.
""It will attract buyers from all over the state, larger lines of livestock and be more attractive to mainland buyers resulting in stronger competition," he said.
Powranna was selected for the facility by Nutrien Ag Solutions because it was the most modern saleyard in Tasmania. It is also conveniently located near a biosecurity truck wash, run independently by the Northern Midlands Council.
Mr Palmer said the weekly sales could see up to 100 head of livestock a week but the capacity of the facility was about 5000.
He said they were planning to develop the site to incorporate more sheep pens in the future. Powranna will still host its weekly sales but there will also be a multi-seller sale each month.
TLX has been established as a separate business unit within the Nutrien Ag Solutions group. Nutrien Ag Solutions Tasmania general manager John Tuskin said TLX had the best infrastructure in the state to support the long-term sustainability of livestock auctions, as well as meet OH&S and animal welfare, effluent management and energy use requirements.
The decision paves the way for further investment in what is a multi-million dollar facility, he said.
This will include infrastructure to ensure TLX can yard calves and pigs. He said the announcement will be welcomed by buyers, many of whom had expressed their support for such an initiative already. "And in appointing a dedicated manager to operate the saleyards, our people will be in a better position to spend more time supporting our clients and will work to ensure this change is seamless for all."
Elders Livestock operations manager Chris Durrant said Elders was pleased that its agents will be able to access the newly formed TLX and said it was a positive move for Tasmanian livestock farmers.
Have you signed up to Stock & Land's daily newsletter? Register below to make sure you are up to date with everything that's important to Victorian agriculture.