Major changes planned for Tasmania’s livestock sales

Two of Tasmanian’s most well known sale yards will be closed as part of a move to centralise the state’s livestock sales.

MAJOR changes are on the way for Tasmania’s livestock sales after the establishment of the state’s first multi-agent selling centre.

As part of what has been a long running program of rationalisation of the state’s sale yards, the new combined livestock sales will soon be held at Powranna, replacing the weekly sales at both Quoiba and Killafaddy.

As part of the changes, the sale yard will be managed through the new Tasmanian Livestock Exchange, which has been established as a separate business within Nutrien Ag Solutions.

The TLX will be managed by Andrew Palmer, who has been appointed as the general manager.

This is an exciting move for the Tasmanian livestock industry,” Mr Palmer said.

“This multi-agent, centralised model has been proven on the mainland as providing a highly competitive environment for livestock.”

Elders livestock manager Greg Harris confirmed at that the traditional weekly sales at Killafaddy will soon be moved to Powranna, after a deal was signed with TLX.

Mr Harris said the move, which has been supported by a number of buyers, should help increase competition for stock.

“A lot of people are aware that it will be beneficial to have a combined centralised market in the one place,” he said.

Mr Harris said a date for the first combined sale has not yet been decided.

As part of the changes, the livestock sales at Quoiba will also finish, with the final sale to be held there on Monday.

It is a decision that has raised concerns among north west vendors and buyers, who say they may now be forced to find other ways to buy and sell stock.

Roberts, now Nutrien Livestock, have been holding their weekly livestock sales at Powranna after moving them from Killafaddy in 2014.

The company also closed the Bridgewater sale yard in 2014.

Nutrien Ag Solutions Tasmanian General Manager John Tuskin said TLX has the best infrastructure in the state.

He said the facility will support the long-term sustainability of livestock auctions, as well as meeting occupational health and safety, animal welfare, effluent management and energy use requirements.

Mr Tuskin said the new combined sales system will also allow for further investment at the TLX, which will include infrastructure to ensure the facility can also cater for calves and pigs,

“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.

“In the coming weeks, I look forward to announcing the date of the first combined sale.”

Mr Tuskin said the announcement will be welcomed by buyers, who had already expressed their support for a centralised selling centre.

Elders Livestock Operations Manager, Chris Durrant said the company is pleased that its agents will be able to access the newly formed TLX.

 “We see this as a positive move for all Tasmanian growers and are looking forward to working

with the TLX into the future,” Mr Durrant said.