Saleyards future-ready for livestock processing

The Emerald Saleyards are now “future-ready” with the installation of remote-control drafting equipment and completion of additional selling pens increasing efficiency by up to 50 percent.

Chair of the Emerald Saleyards Coordination Committee Cr Christine Rolfe said upgrades are putting the complex in line with the latest technology and processing power to meet the demands of tomorrow’s sustainable livestock practices.

‘The pneumatic remote-controlled drafting equipment brings the saleyards up to today’s standards in high-volume livestock handling,’ she said.

‘The process reduces direct contact between livestock and workers, significantly increasing safety and reducing stress on livestock.

‘And with 28 additional selling pens we have greater flexibility to split up lot sizes.’

The capital project upgrades worth $277,000 are a portion of continuing improvements to the saleyards over recent years.

‘Our efficiencies gained are a culmination of money spent in the right places,’ she said.

‘In 2017-18 the yards put an average of 147 beasts through per hour.

‘Now we’re looking at 226 – that’s an increase of more than 50 percent.’

With a total of 230 selling pens, throughput of selling lots has increased by 45 percent. In 2017-18 the yards processed 21 lots per hour and numbers this year show an average of 30 lots per hour.

Improvements completed earlier in 2018 include a full deck weighbridge, concreting of holding pens and most recently installing raw water access for livestock. Further planned improvements for energy savings are on the cards with a further $105,000 in the capital works budget to replace timber flood lights and install LED’s above overhead walkways.