Saleyards for the future

The +orsham 5egional /ivestock Exchange is the fourth largest sheep and lamb market in the state and along with the livestock industry is a strong economic driver for the region. Numbers have been fantastic for this time of the year with last month the second best -uly on record. 3rices for stock are constantly breaking records with Tuality stock consigned to the facility. 0ost recently a pen of lambs sold to a top of per head which is a fantastic result for the vendor and a boost for con fidence in the livestock industry including our saleyards as a viable selling option. ,f farmers in the :immera are making money it has such a positive impact on retail, business and industry confidence in the region. Saleyards operate in complex economic, environmental and regulatory arrangements. Our facility currently is self funding and covers its own costs without creating a liability to the broader community. To meet the challenges facing all saleyards across the coun try, including other marketing options, we need to upgrade infrastructure, adopt best practise technology and maintain our reputation as a high Tuality modern marketing choice for farmers to sell their stock. The saleyard selling system has always been the true market indicator of stock. Council, along with the Board of 0anagement, is planning for our facility to be totally undercover in line with industry expecta tion, a benchmark standard. This significant upgrade will deliver enormous benefits such as improved animal welfare and presentation of stock, better occu pational health and safety and human welfare, reduced cleaning costs, the ability to harvest water for re use and improved lighting. For the saleyards to remain viable it is crucial to maintain sig nificant throughput, consistently achieve fair market price while continuing to be Council owned and operated. Council is committed to advocate for funding opportunities and is preparing supporting material in readiness for a future grant application.