Angry farmers press VLE for Warragul saleyard answers

The idea of farmers and agents leasing the Warragul saleyard until a new saleyard was built in the area has been raised.

GIPPSLAND’S biggest saleyard operator has been accused of not consulting with stakeholders or grasping the full impact on farmers of pushing ahead with the closure of the Warragul saleyards.

An estimated 300 people pressed the Victorian Livestock Exchange for answers at a meeting late last week, and raised the idea of farmers and agents leasing the facility until a new saleyard was built in the area.

The meeting came just days after the VLE, which operates the Pakenham and Koonwarra saleyards, compromised slightly on the closure, announcing it would continue the regular sale days for adult cattle at Warragul until Christmas.

And the calf market would continue to operate at the Warragul site into next year.

Originally VLE said it would close the centre at the end of this month, triggering uproar among West Gippsland cattle producers, particularly dairy farmers who rely on the local market for easy access to sell cull cows and bobby calves.

Warragul is also a major dairy selling centre, holding up to 30 special sales each year.

The time extension has done little to quell criticism of VLE, which has been accused of disadvantaging local producers by its decision to shut Warragul before building a replacement facility.

Warragul livestock transporter Trevor Bramstedt told the meeting the idea that cattle could be shifted across to the Pakenham saleyards with little impact was not true. “It will double the costs to farmers as what needs to be understood is we are often picking up one or two dairy cows at a time, and it can take us half a day in a tray truck to collect a dozen cows,’’ he said.

“What annoys me is it seems the only reason VLE purchased Warragul was to shut it down and keep their monopoly (of cattle sales in the area).’’

Alex Scott & Staff agent Neil Darby said the ripple effect on the region from closing Warragul would be significant and VLE had not been able to explain why Warragul needed to close so suddenly.

“We’ve asked why Warragul can’t stay open until another saleyard is built and we haven’t had a proper answer,’’ he said.

“We’ve asked if they would consider leasing the Warragul yards to a farmer/agent co-op until something else was built, but that was rejected.”

VLE director Wayne Osborne was unable to be reached for comment.