A new sheep and lamb saleyard is set to be established in Crystal Brook, with an expected capacity of about 10,000 head. The site will be leased by the Combined Independents Agents Association and is expected to draw livestock from the Eyre Peninsula, northern agricultural zone and pastoral areas. There has been no set date for the completion of the $230,000 project, with $115,000 from the state government.
The funding comes from the Upper Spencer Gulf and Outback Futures Program grant.
CIAA director Wayne Hall said the project will be completed “in good time”, thanks to the grant.
“This project will provide another valuable avenue for clients to market their livestock on a regular basis, as well as providing South Australian producers more opportunity to purchase livestock from locally bred producers,” he said.
“The saleyard will service more than 50 CIAA livestock agents that deal with more than 8000 rural clients throughout SA and in Broken Hill, NSW.”
CIAA also manage the collective yarding, auctioneering and settlement at the Dublin weekly livestock market on behalf of its agents.
Regional Development Minister Geoff Brock said the creation of the new saleyard was in response to growing demand and was a sign of the strength of the region.
“The new saleyard will have a positive flow-on effect for the surrounding areas, including an increase in visitor traffic on sale days in Crystal Brook and Port Pirie,” he said.
The construction is expected to create 10 jobs, with one ongoing position once completed.
