Saleyard operator RLX upgrades yards, services

Among the infrastructure projects are the $5 million redevelopment of the Inverell Regional Livestock Exchange, which will be undercover and includes new selling pens, soft flooring and feedyard facilities; and the new Central Victoria Livestock Exchange at Ballarat, which is set to be in operation early in the next financial year.

In Queensland, the Gracemere selling centre at Rockhampton has been improved with feedlot-style bunks, and there are plans for a major redevelopment at Longreach, which will include a transit centre as well as a complete upgrade of the selling area.

The infrastructure has allowed RLX to start offering other services for producers.

Ben Wratten, general manager, operations for AAM Investment Group, the asset manager for the RLX sites, said some sites were already carrying out yard weaning prior and after sales.

“Producers are sending in their weaners to be processed at site learn to eat out of a bunk, and we’re also using low stress stock handling principles,” Mr Wratten said.

“We can carry out inductions for buyers which might include tagging, vaccinations, or worm or external parasite treatment.

“We’re working on being able to carry out inductions for feedlot buyers as well, streamlining the process for buyers and improving the efficiency on site when cattle are going onto feed.”

The extra services aren’t just for producers selling through the centre.

“A company that passes through Tamworth on their way to a grower property from their breeding property can have the calves processed at our site.

“They can go through a four to six day program, then be back on the truck fully yard weaned, handled and ready to gain weight when they get to the finishing property.”

Another new service for the business is online sales, run in conjunction with StockLive, which were in operation during weaner sales earlier this year.

Having sales interfaced with an online platform creates more competition for stock, but also allows vendors to promote their lines prior to the sale.

“It’s a very user-friendly platform with a lot of information given prior to the sale,” Mr Wratten said.

“Vendors can log in, fill out a pre-sale listing and nominate their agent to authorise it, and buyers can jump on page to have a look at future sales, and what lines of cattle are coming up.”