Enthusiastic Welcome for Manjimup Saleyards
16 October 2008
Farm Weekly
The Manjimup community gave an emphatic thumbs up to the reopening of the town's saleyards with 300 people at its first sale last week.
After they were closed by WorkSafe 18 months ago, four local farmers bought the yards to reopening them as a sale venue.
The farmers, Tony and John Ryan, Bill Phillips and Bob Pessotto, believe their decision was vindicated after a yarding of 400 head and prices that were 10c/kg to 15c/kg higher then markets at other sale centres.
Tony Ryan said the group was "rapt" with buyers' responses.
"Today's result shows what can be done if you have a go," Mr Ryan said.
"We didn't want to walk away from the saleyards, we knew there is a need for them in this area and the sale showed that."
Mr Ryan said the challenge now was for farmers and the trade to maintain their support of the yards.
"The aim is to have a monthly sale and to achieve that we need everyone's support," he said.
"Producers will not get a third chance.
"We will not hold onto this facility if it loses money.
"There are still lots of cattle in this area and it is just a matter of getting them here and getting a fair price for them."
Manjimup shire president Wade DeCampo said the reopening bucked the current trend in the industry.
"Elders and Landmark walked away from farmers in the district by letting this facility close and it took a group of farmers to get it up and running again," Mr DeCampo said.
"These salesyards first opened in 1966 and I believe they are still integral to this district, not just to farmers in the Manjimup shire but also those surrounding areas such as Nannup, Northcliffe, Scott River and Bridgetown."
Mr DeCampo said he hoped that WA now started to receive equivalent prices to those in the eastern states.
"I think we need to support the beef precinct proposal and get another abattoir up and running to offer more competition in the marketplace," he said.
"We need a price rise to stop other industries coming in and taking up good farming land."
Agriculture Minister Terry Redman opened the yards and said he applauded the farmers who had made an investment in their industry.
"The environment is pretty tough at the moment and today shows what community spirit can do," Mr Redman said.
He said the State Government had some big decisions to make in regard to WA's saleyard system.
"While I cannot make any commitments at the moment the State Saleyard Strategy is under consideration," he said.
"The Government is focused on securing the funds from the sale of the Midland site and on getting construction of Muchea underway, and then we will look at regional saleyards."
FarmWorks auctioneer Neil Foale said the sale had a terrific result.
"I really congratulate the community and the four farmers who bought the yards and put the improvements in place," he said.
"The quality of the yarding was very high and there was good trade and grazier competition.
"The future of this sale will only be assured if producers and buyers continue to support it."
Mr Foale said the company hoped to pen another 300 trade cattle, plus 300-400 weaners, at the next sale in mid-November.
| ◊ The four farmers who bought the Manjimup saleyards and did improvement work, John Ryan (left), Bob Pessotto, Bill Phillips and Tony Ryan, with Agriculture Minister Terry Redman, FarmWorks livestock manager Harold Sealy and Manjimup shire president Wade DeCampo. |