Ballarat’s new sheep and cattle saleyard under construction. Image – CVLX.

SHEEP and cattle sales will start at Ballarat’s new sheep and cattle saleyards in August this year after construction is completed next month.

Construction of the new $24 million Central Victoria Livestock Exchange facility on the Sunraysia Highway at Miners Rest just outside Ballarat is on target to be completed in July.

But before then the exchange’s operator Regional Livestock Exchanges (RLX) will host an open day at the new site on June 23.

The first sale will be for store cattle on August 17, followed by the first prime cattle sale on Monday August 20. The first sheep and lamb sale on Tuesday August 21.

RLX said the exchange will accommodate annual throughput of 70,000 cattle and 1.6 million sheep and improve the safe movement and handling of livestock on sale days.

RLX managing director Garry Edwards said the company wanted to offer people the opportunity to come and see first-hand the new livestock facility and the innovative features that will set CVLX apart from other livestock selling facilities.

“It is truly one of a kind – not just in Victoria, but Australia, and I know those who can attend the open day on the 23rd of June will be impressed with what they see,” he said.

Guided tours of the exchange for all members of the industry and general public will start from 11am on June 23.

RLX said the facility has been designed to significantly improve livestock marketability and presentation, operating efficiencies and animal welfare outcomes. The cattle facility has fully covered selling pens, a modular flow through penning configuration, non-chlorinated drinking water for livestock and most importantly a soft floor throughout.

The company said the unique nature of the facility lies in its size — with more than 2.8 hectares of roof covering the cattle and sheep selling areas — and its flow-through design, providing the ability to conduct large sale events.

RLX said CVLX also has a range of innovative features; including modular cattle and sheep selling pens that can cater for different sale lot sizes; combination cattle processing areas enabling simultaneous bulk and individual weighing; designated short term holding and feeding facilities for both sheep and cattle; onsite recycled water treatment; availability of sale live streaming and online bidding for feature sales; areas available to scan, weigh and automatically draft sheep and lambs; drive through truck wash facilities; truck driver amenities; plus onsite central facilities including administration and agent offices; and a large canteen.

The completion of construction by July will followed by a short commissioning period when staff will be trained and agents will be able to familiarise themselves before commencing operations on August 17 with a store cattle sale.

On the open day, guided tours will be conducted every half an hour from 11am to 2pm. A BBQ Lunch will be provided by CVLX.

– will hold its first sales in August this year.

The exchange’s operator Regional Livestock Exchanges (RLX) will host an open day at the new site on June 23 and construction is on target for completion in July.

The first sale will be for store cattle on August 17, followed by the first prime cattle sale on Monday August 20. The first sheep and lamb sale on Tuesday August 21.

RLX said the exchange will accommodate annual throughput of 70,000 cattle and 1.6 million sheep and improve the safe movement and handling of livestock on sale days.

Mr Edwards said the company wanted to offer people the opportunity to come and see first-hand the new livestock facility and the innovative features that will set CVLX apart from other livestock selling facilities.

“It is truly one of a kind – not just in Victoria, but Australia, and I know those who can attend the open day on the 23rd of June will be impressed with what they see,” he said.

Guided tours of the exchange for all members of the industry and general public will start from 11am on June 23.

RLX said the facility has been designed to significantly improve livestock marketability and presentation, operating efficiencies and animal welfare outcomes. The cattle facility has fully covered selling pens, a modular flow through penning configuration, non-chlorinated drinking water for livestock and most importantly a soft floor throughout.

The company said the unique nature of the facility lies in its size — with more than 2.8 hectares of roof covering the cattle and sheep selling areas — and its flow-through design, providing the ability to conduct large sale events.

RLX said CVLX also has a range of innovative features; including modular cattle and sheep selling pens that can cater for different sale lot sizes; combination cattle processing areas enabling simultaneous bulk and individual weighing; designated short term holding and feeding facilities for both sheep and cattle; onsite recycled water treatment; availability of sale live streaming and online bidding for feature sales; areas available to scan, weigh and automatically draft sheep and lambs; drive through truck wash facilities; truck driver amenities; plus onsite central facilities including administration and agent offices; and a large canteen.

The completion of construction by July will followed by a short commissioning period when staff will be trained and agents will be able to familiarise themselves before commencing operations on August 17 with a store cattle sale.

On the open day, guided tours will be conducted every half an hour from 11am to 2pm. A BBQ Lunch will be provided by CVLX.