After six years as president of ALMA, Steve Loane stepped down to a position on the board during the ALMA Annual General Meeting held during the National Saleyards Expo in Rockhampton on Thursday to allow for a fresh face to steer the association going forward.
Mr Loane said his biggest accomplishment during his time at the helm was improving animal welfare standards in saleyards at a national level.
“When we first came together, there was a lot of resistance by most yards, and animal welfare was considered a passing fad in their view.
“By building a relationship with Animals’ Angels Australia and inviting them to our conferences, and into the discussion we’ve proved that we needed to professionalise the industry and that animal welfare wasn’t going away, and that it’s a genuine concern in the wider community.”
Mr Loane said the biggest challenge industry will face moving forward is the viability of smaller yards.
“A lot of those yards are owned by councils, who’re under increasing pressure to show a profit return for the rate payer, and too offset the depreciation level that tends to show up in the balance sheets of those councils.”
He said on a more personal level, after stepping down as president, he’s looking forward to helping with the transition of knowledge.
“I’m here to remind the board about how things initially happened, to give them guidance about how things could happen going forward, and to help connect with government decision makers through the network I’ve created through the years as an agent and as a member of ALMA.”
His advice for newly appointed president Ken Timms was to maintain a high level of awareness about potential issues.
“We’re in such a multifaceted industry involving agents, trucks, producers, processors, animal welfare lobby groups, that we need to ensure those variables are being managed correctly to create a good perception of how the saleyards in the eyes of the community at large.
“There is a whole raft of other scrutiny that you get from the wider community, and I think Ken’s most important thing is to maintain eternal vigilance.”
Mr Loane said he’s extremely proud to have been in the position, and is sad to be stepping down, but believes the role is in good hands.
“I have a great deal of admiration for Ken, he’s a good operator, and I think our encouraging financial result is testimony to his great work as treasurer.”
Mr Timms thanked Mr Loane for the “great job” he’s done to develop and amalgamate ALMA in what he said at times have been “very difficult conditions”.
“Last year Steve became the first ALMA Life Member, which is worthy recognition of the work he’s done to advance the association and the industry over the years.
“I’m glad he’ll be returning to the ALMA board as we all continue to work together to create opportunities which offer great value for money for our members.”
Mr Timms has been on the ALMA board for five years, three as treasurer and has operated the Blackall Saleyards for eight years.
During that span he’s increased throughput at the yards from 30,000 head in 2009-10 to 90,000 this year.
He’s also implemented infrastructure upgrades to ensure better animal welfare and occupational health and safety standards are being met.
Mr Timms said he’s looking forward to tackling the challenges his new position presents.
“Animal welfare are issues are always first and foremost at the heart of what ALMA is constantly trying to improve,” he said.
“Our members are in a great position to ensure livestock are treated well during their time at the various saleyards around the nation, we all just need to be ever-mindful of keeping on top of it.
“Specifically we need to make sure we’re keeping a watchful eye over the supply chain, so we’re not losing NLIS tagged stock, which could cause biosecurity issues.
“We need to be able to demonstrate to producers that selling through the saleyards is the safest long-term option available to them.”
Along with Mr Timms returning board members include:
- Michelle Webster, Central Highlands Regional Council (elected to the role of treasurer)
- Paul White, Warrnambool
- Jeff White, Cootamundra
- Andrew Lepley, Adelaide
- Paul Martin, Wagga
They’ll be joined by six new members who include:
- Steve Loane, Life Member
- Ken Rogers, Inverall (elected to the role of deputy president)
- Peter Flynn, Roma Saleyards
- Peter Mitchell, Mount Gambier
- Stephanie Whitaker, Biggenden
- Jenny Webb, Forbes