THE Combined Independent Agents Association will establish a new saleyard at Crystal Brook this year.
The 10,000-head capacity sheep and lamb saleyard will be used solely for store sales.
The project has received support from a $115,000 Upper Spencer Gulf and Outback Futures Program grant, which will cover half of the cost of the facility’s construction.
Work on the site is set to begin in April, be completed by August, with the first sale expected in September.
CIAA director Wayne Hall said the saleyard investment filled a need within the industry.
“The association has a large client base that wanted somewhere to sell their store sheep,” he said.
“We thought we could get control of our own destiny and build the set of yards,”
Mr Hall said the project had been in the pipeline for about 12 months.
The yard will be located near the GrainFlow silos.
“It is perfect site because it already has B-double access,” he said.
“It is also in a spot that is easily accessible for our clients, including those from the Eyre Peninsula, Broken Hill, NSW, Yorke Peninsula and the Murray Mallee.
“We also found the local government, and state government, were very helpful in establishing the facility, and that’s been a key component in getting it off the ground.”
The CIAA group has more than 50 agents linked to the business throughout SA and Broken Hill, and expects to hold six to eight lamb and sheep sales each year – possibly more depending on demand – at the Crystal Brook saleyard.
Mr Hall is hopeful of selling at least 60,000 head in the first year of the facility’s operation.
“That’s the beauty of it being in the association’s control, we can hold markets whenever the need arises,” he said.
“In the spring time, I’d expect we’ll hold sales every couple of weeks.”
Mr Hall said the project was also an indication of the confidence in the sheep industry.
“We have very good indications from our clients and sources across SA and overseas that the sheep, lamb and wool industry is going to be solid well into the future,” he said.
“We have a very good prime selling complex at Dublin where finished livestock can be sold and we will be able to complement that with an up-to-date store selling complex.”
Mr Hall said the new saleyard complex had been made possible through the collaborative efforts of CIAA, Regional Development Minister Geoff Brock, PIRSA and local council representatives.
Mr Brock said the project would create 10 jobs during construction and one ongoing position once it was completed.
