A MAJOR expansion of live export cattle holding yard facilities around Charters Towers and Townsville is being hailed as a sign of burgeoning confidence in the industry.
The Dalrymple Saleyards has recently undergone a major refurbishment which will see the amount of cattle being held at the facility at any one time increase from 12,000 to 16,500 head.
The infrastructure works included the construction of four live export cattle holding yards, a laneway network and two water tanks with a storage capacity to hold one million litres of water.
It comes as construction is soon to commence on a new holding facility for the accumulation and preparation of cattle for live export at Reid River, between Charters Towers and Townsville.
Charters Towers Regional Council granted approval for the development in September.
It will be completed in two stages and have an ultimate throughput of 200,000 head annually, with a holding capacity of 15,575 feeder cattle across 64 pens.
Another facility with a proposed annual throughput of up to 100,000 head in Oak Valley, on the outskirts of Townsville, is being considered by Townsville City Council with a decision likely to be made in January.
The purpose built facility would be constructed on a lot on the corner of the Flinders Highway and Heath Road and the holding yards would have a capacity for up to 15,000 head of cattle across 18 pens.
Elders live export Queensland manager Tom Kennedy said the investment in these facilities was a positive for the future of the industry.
“The reason we are seeing this investment is no different to where we see investment made on properties, in transport and in cattle,” Mr Kennedy said.
“The economics of seeing cattle making a minimal amount is allowing the industry to reinvest in itself.”
Mr Kennedy said the modern facilities would also provide positive animal welfare outcomes.
“Obviously as we move forward in this industry animal welfare has a critical part to play in the whole public image,” he said.
”These yards are going to be built with maximum flow, maximum feed potential being grained and maximum rehydration obtained, and most importantly maximum animal welfare which in turn creates a better industry.
“One of the positives that is going to come out of it is we will probably see cattle do longer durations prior to shipping, which will help cattle transfer to a pallet form of supplement, and this in turn will present a better product at the end. Lets hope this removes some of the stresses out of the industry.”
Mr Kennedy said it was likely the facilities would not only be used for holding live export cattle, but to spell and rehydrate cattle being moved from northern areas like Mareeba, to Rockhampton for slaughter.
“ I think there is that opportunity for these yards.
“At the end of the day this industry is going to have to operate smarter, be more organised and be more rigid on itself and in turn the sloppy operators will have to move out.”
Charters Towers Regional Councillor Bernie Robertson said the Dalrymple Saleyards upgrade was beneficial to the live export industry.
“The Dalrymple Saleyards competes to be the third largest cattle handling facility in Queensland and it’s expanded holding capacity is very beneficial to the live export industry,” Cr Robertson said.
Between January 2013 and November 2018, the saleyards were responsible for the assembly and processing of approximately 630,000 head of live export cattle that were shipped from the Port of Townsville.
“The majority of live export cattle are sourced from grazing enterprises located in Central, North, Northwest and Far North Queensland,” Mr Robertson said.
“These grazing enterprises are reliant upon the sustainable growth of the Australian Live Cattle Export Industry.
“We will continue to strive to ensure council assets are used in a manner that benefits the entire region and grazing and associated industries are key to our prosperity.”
The Dalrymple Saleyards upgrade cost $172,000 and was funded by the State Government.
Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the Dalrymple Saleyards upgrade was a wonderful example of how successful the Works for Queensland program was for regional councils and their communities right across state.
