As the Pakenham saleyards close, the Victorian Livestock Exchange is ready to focus as Leongatha as one of the busiest saleyards in the country – with new holding yards for 2500 cattle to be finished within the next month.
Part of the Victorian Livestock Exchange (VLE) master plan for the Leongatha saleyards, these holding yards will have soft flooring, and feeders on the outside rails.
VLE managing director Brian Paynter said this $300,000 investment will make it easier to transition from sale to transport and provide the complex with additional capacity.
“These yards will make sure VLE Leongatha can handle 6000 cattle at any one time – sometimes even a few hundred more – ideal timing for those farmers looking to transition their cattle marketing from Pakenham to Leongatha,” he said.
“These new yards will have covered feeders along the outside rails which are easily accessible for the livestock and enable easier and faster pen cleaning.”
Other changes slated for VLE Leongatha as part of its master plan include: an additional 9000 square metres of undercover holding yards, a new four bay truck wash, truck driver amenities and tea rooms, truck fuel depot, new livestock agent offices with a board room, new maintenance shed and workshop and a 1500 square metre undercover sheep selling facility.
VLE Leongatha sold 160,000 cattle this financial year – up 26 per cent from 2022/23.
Victoria’s highest throughput saleyard is planning for even more cattle following the closure of the Pakenham saleyards last week.
Mr Paynter said VLE Leongatha could match the throughput of Australia’s largest selling centre, the saleyards at Roma, Queensland, if 80 per cent of the cattle sold at Pakenham moves across to Leongatha.
Elders Leongatha Branch Manager Rohan McRae is confident Leongatha’s established market can handle extra cattle from Pakenham and said winter was the ideal time for the transition.
“July and August are generally quieter and that gives us time to get the saleyards settled, with the infrastructure upgrades and work done to handle the extra numbers, before they really begin to arrive in spring and summer,” he said.
“Good, consistent lines of cattle brings buyers and I’m confident all the major buyers will continue to support Leongatha.”
Leongatha first prime sales as the sole VLE saleyard were held on Tuesday 2 July, the first store sales will be on Thursday 11 July commencing at 9am.
