Summary
Direct-to-buyer sales (i.e., those that circumvent saleyards) have increased over the past three decades, particularly since the advent of accurate and objective carcase description. While many existing saleyard operators provide a general assembly-and-dispatch service to livestock vendors, buyers and/or their agents, the future survival of yards will become increasingly dependent on operators offering value-adding services and adopting industry-driven initiatives designed to preserve the quality and safety of the final consumable product.
This is particularly pertinent for those local councils or private investors embarking on major saleyard development or upgrades. In some cases, in excess of $10m expenditure is anticipated; appropriate planning is therefore critically important to the future viability of the facility. In recognition of the need for action, the Saleyard Operators Association of Australia approached Meat and Livestock Australia for assistance in conducting a scoping study for the purpose of identifying areas where MLA and the saleyard sector could work together for the benefit of the producing sector (i.e., MLA's constituents), the saleyard sector and the industry as a whole. MLA responded by commissioning this study. It is evident from this study that there is a significant number of potential projects that may interest MLA. While a number are already underway (e.g., NVD scanning and a review of curfew rules), MLA's involvement in other beneficial projects could provide impetus for improvement in saleyard operations.
Topics examined within this scoping exercise comprise:
government and industry rules and guidelines
yard design, including entry and exit facilities and security
National Livestock Identification System capability
national vendor declaration recording and information transfer
networking and consultation
communication technology
curfews
MSA channelling
interface marketing
pre- and post-sale livestock preparation and weighing
animal welfare
environmental and recycling challenges
occupational health and safety and employee issues
additional client services; and
cost and revenue structures.
The following list of recommendations is put to MLA for its consideration. Regarding: It is RECOMMENDED that MLA: Governments and Industry
1. Facilitate a working group for identifying regional inconsistencies and devising and implementing strategies targeting the removal of such inconsistencies. Yard design
2. Work with SOA to establish a broad set of principles for the development of selling centres such that, at the very least, industry initiatives can be consistently accommodated.
3. Consider the benefits of expanding the power of the NLIS tag and associated technology to transfer information that would enable state-of-the-art tracking and, if possible, mechanical drafting. NVDs
4. Assuming the successful launch on 13 July 2005 of the NVD scanning technology, encourage all saleyard operators to facilitate the installation of such a device for use by agents.
5. Examine the NVD form for ways of simplifying the entry of information. Networking / Consultation
6. Facilitate a series of think tank workshops for the purpose of developing, among other things, a strategic plan and an improved networking capability for the saleyard sector. Communication
7. Ensure saleyards utilise available funding to optimise their role in trace-back/trace-forward activities. Curfew
8. Review the benefits of curfew periods and pursue strategies for national consistency. MSA
9. Continue encouraging saleyard operators to participate in the MSA program by becoming accredited MSA saleyards. Interface (Web-Based) Marketing
10. Work with industry to assess the merits of interface marketing and, if considered appropriate, commence funding such a development for Australia. Livestock Preparation and Weighing
11. Review the benefits of pen weighing against those of individual weighing, particularly in light of NLIS scanning.
12. Consider running a comparative analysis study on pre-sale versus post-sale weighing. Yard Security
13. Investigate the benefits of developing a black box
14. Monitor saleyards adherence to accepted animal welfare codes. Environmental and Recycling Challenges
15. Consider funding a comparative analysis study of various soft-stand flooring options, including the use of rubber matting, to determine the animal-welfare and bio-security aspects of the practice. Occupational Health and Safety
16. Investigate inconsistencies between selling centres, regions and State/Territories regarding all aspects of OH&S, including those that rely on State/Territory legislation, and assist the sector in developing a strategy for the removal of such inconsistencies. Additional Client Services / Alternate Income Sources
17. Encourage saleyard managers to participate in extension exercises with their clients and vendors for the purpose of conveying important details about industry programs.
