Sixteen years on from the initial inception of the idea, the Central Victorian Livestock Exchange (CVLX) in Miners Rest has finally opened its gates.
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Hundreds flooded into the site on Friday morning to see what is being called by some “the best of its kind”.
Retired Beaufort farmer Bob Bramwell was blown away by the new yards.
“I’ve just come down to have a look and it’s incredible. There’s absolutely no comparison between this and the Latrobe Street yards,” he said.
After getting their cattle into the yards on Thursday, agents were all smiles as they moved through the facility.
“It’s magnificent,” Leo White, Director of T.B. White and Sons said.
“These facilities are fantastic, bringing the cattle in they all seemed a lot calmer and more settled.”
These sentiments were echoed by Elders Livestock Manager Graeme Nicholson.
“The facility is the best of its kind,” he said.
“The cattle were so content when we brought them in, they’re lying down and seem a lot more relaxed.”
Both agents highlighted the heightened ability to present their stock as the biggest improvement that CVLX has brought.
“We’re undercover, the stock has got the soft flooring to stand on, all the walkways are raised to let buyers have a better look, it’s a massive improvement,” Mr Nicholson said.
Following an opening ceremony and ribbon cutting, the first ever sale at CVLX begun.
A 606kg steer was auctioned off for $7,600 with all proceeds going to the Parma For a Farmer fundraising effort.
Following this regular sales began as per usual.
AAM Investment Group CEO & managing director Gary Edwrads has been working on behalf of the Regional Livestock Exchange (RLX) for the past nine years trying to get these saleyards up and running.
He couldn’t keep the smile off his face as he watched the agents, vendors and buyers make their way through the facility.
“It’s surreal,” he said.
“To have worked for so long and to see it finally running so smoothly is great.
“We all just hope that agents are able to get some good prices for their stock.”
Not everyone is happy with the opening, with Miners Rest residents already flagging trucks taking short cuts through the city to get the the saleyards.
President for the Committee for Miners Rest Alicia Bond is disappointed with council and truck drivers.
“It’s not good enough,” she said.
“We were promised that they would be traveling around Miners Rest, but to have them rolling down Albert Street at 4pm is just so unsafe.”
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