DESPITE a yarding of almost 27,000 sheep to go under the hammer, last week's Katanning trade sheep sale came to a grinding halt when Premier Colin Barnett and Agriculture and Food Minister, Terry Redman, entered the scene.
While Mr Barnett expressed his disappointment that no Damaras were penned in the sale, the breed of choice on his Toodyay property, he and Mr Redman were at the saleyards in an official capacity to announce the funding injection of $21.5 million for three regional saleyards.
As reported in last week's Farm Weekly, the Katanning saleyards, the State's biggest sheep selling facility, received the biggest funding boost of $17m funding for the construction of new sheep saleyards.
Mr Barnett said he visited the Katanning saleyards one year ago and spoke to the shire, farmers and transporters and soon recognised that the facility was past its use-by date.
"The livestock industries are a key part of the regional WA economy and saleyards continue to be a trading hub for producers, restockers, agents, processors, transporters and exporters," Mr Barnett said.
"The livestock industry and the regional community have been calling for improvements to the State's regional saleyards for many years.
"The Liberal-National Government has listened and taken concerted action to ensure this industry has modern and efficient infrastructure and facilities to enable its growth and prosperity."
Those new saleyards will be located on the outskirts of town near the refuse site, on greenfields land that had been used by the Agriculture and Food Department.
Construction of the new yards is estimated to cost $21.5m, and after the $17m from the State Government, the Shire of Katanning will fund the balance.
Mr Barnett said he would assist to fast track the environmental assessment process, which is the shire's next hurdle.
He said the shire would still have to undertake a formal process but he would ensure that it was dealt with quickly.
The Shire of Plantagenet will receive $2.3m in funding to clear debt from its cattle saleyards at Mt Barker, while $2.2m has been allocated to conduct "market sounding" for the Boyanup cattle facilities, to help generate interest from the private sector.
The bulk of the funding was derived from the sale of the Midland saleyard site, and Mr Barnett would not be drawn on what would be done with the remaining Midland funds, except to say that the money was sitting in general revenue and any issues would be dealt with on their individual merits.
News of the regional saleyard funding was largely well-received by WA lobby groups, with Pastoralists and Graziers' Association (PGA) livestock committee chairman, Digby Stretch, describing the announcement as timely.
"Livestock producers need access to modern saleyards with high standards of environmental management, animal welfare and occupational health and safety," Mr Stretch said.
"Well-operated state-of-the-art facilities will encourage more competition and provide a net benefit to the State and regional areas through renewed buyer interest, increased buyer numbers and more suitable presentation of animals, leading to increased competition and better returns for all concerned.
"The PGA endorses the government's support of shire-owned facilities by providing funding to retire debt at the Mt Barker saleyard for cattle, as well as facilitating private development options for the Boyanup saleyard for cattle."
WAFarmers meat section president, Jeff Murray, said the funding announcement would deliver a much-needed boost to the State's saleyard facilities, but he was cautious about the level of funding directed towards the Boyanup saleyards.
"The State Government's new commitment of $21.5m will enable the livestock industry to continue working towards further improving animal welfare and worker safety," Mr Murray said.
"Especially in light of the current drought, WAFarmers is calling upon the State and Local governments to ensure local businesses and contractors are used in the construction of these new facilities.
"WAFarmers has long lobbied for the State's regional saleyards to be wholly owned and operated within WA, and the State Government should be commended for helping to achieve this.
"However, the amount of funding contributed towards the Boyanup cattle facilities seems to be significantly less than needed, and further consultation with industry is required, given that this facility is likely to be operated by the private sector."
Livestock and Rural Transport Association president, Grant Robins, said after so many years of indecision, it was pleasing to see a government prepared to make a large investment and recognise the importance of saleyards to regional economies.
"The Association had been lobbying for improved infrastructure since 2007," Mr Robins said.
"We estimate that in excess of $30m of transport equipment attends saleyards weekly.
"Transport company owners and the facility owners have responsibility for the health and safety of between 100 to 200 transport employees as well.
"The risks to health and safety through ailing infrastructure and damage to our equipment has been a major concern, and it is a relief to know that moves are afoot to address this issue."
