Saleyards

Kempsey Shire Council operates the Kempsey Regional Saleyards. http://www.saleyards.info/

The Kempsey Regional Saleyards are a community asset owned and maintained by the Kempsey Shire Council. 

The Kempsey Regional Saleyards have been upgraded and accredited under the National Saleyards Quality Assurance Program since 2001. Kempsey is one of 22 new saleyards with full accreditation.

With over 40 held sales per annum the saleyards provide a regular venue for buyers and sellers across the region to generate income and undertake herd development activities. These sales also support the wholesale and retail sectors of the Kempsey community. The economic and social benefits of the Kempsey Regional Saleyards to the broader community are significant.

VISION MISSION

To have the Kempsey Saleyards become the preferred saleyard facility for both vendors and buyers of all forms of livestock throughout the mid north coast.

GOALS

• To provide a high quality venue for the efficient presentation of livestock for live weight and open auction sale.
• To maximise Council's return on the operation of the saleyards
• To assist in providing employment opportunities and economic growth in the Macleay Valley through retention and promotion of the saleyards.

EXCEPTIONAL SERVICES AND CONVENIENTLY LOCATED

The Kempsey Regional Saleyards offer a broad range of services to buyers and sellers, these include:

• Ring System for stock, this allows easy flow of stock through to auction providing minimum disruption to proceeding and an opportunity for preview before sale time, allowing buyers to assess their purchase needs.
• Large handling capacity, this makes sure there is less stress and bruising of livestock, ensuring a better quality of purchase and better meat at time of slaughter.
• Presale viewing and weighing, this ensures buyers are able to make better purchasing decisions for the day allowing a strategic approach to the days activities including likely costs of purchases.
• Single sale day for all classes of livestock, this supports the needs of smaller producers in that they can bring a mixed class of stock to the sale and not have to split the sale over numerous days. This reduces the costs to the producers and streamlines transport service requirements.
• Covered pig and calf pen, keeps animals clean ready for sale, maximising prices received.
• Covered ring, providing shelter to buyers, sellers and animals. As the sales are often a family event the convenience and comfort of a covered ring enhances the sale activities.
• Frequency of sales. Market Day sales held fortnightly on a Thursday. Special Store sales held on a Saturday every 4weeks, and other Special Sales such as Bull Sale, Weaner Sale, and Bullock & Steer Sale, etc. total of approx 42 sales Per Annum.  Due to the size and appeal of a regional saleyards conveniently located at the mid point of the Mid North Coast, these yards are easily accessible by a majority of livestock farmers. This location provides plenty of opportunities for buyers and sellers to access resources as required.
• Transport infrastructure, the location of the Kempsey Regional Saleyards, approximately 1 km from the pacific highway, allowing ready access for large transport vehicles, including 'B' Doubles, to and from the sales yards.
• Spelling paddocks, encompassed within the facility of the saleyards are spelling paddocks, this enables lots to be sold and kept on pasture awaiting transport. This removes pressure on buyers to have transport ready on an "in case" basis. These paddocks provide green pasture and again reduce stress on stock.
• Effluent reuse, the effluent discarded during sale days is reused as irrigation on spelling paddocks. This provides a nutrient rich irrigation system.
• Quality Assurance Accreditation (obtained July 2001), ensures buyers and sellers have confidence in the quality of stock purchased, and that appropriate mechanisms are in place. Saleyards are subject to annual re-inspection by AUSMEAT.
• Proximity to Kempsey Township, the saleyards are within 2 km of the main central business district of Kempsey. This in its self is a benefit to buyers and sellers and families. Access to shopping and business support services can be achieved on sale day, again allowing for planning and other activities to be undertaken in a single trip. 

Program for upgrading of facilities

• Works completed include reconstruction of drafting yards, ring, paint marking yards and laneways; upgrade water supply; instal water cooling sprinkler system; new steel yards and 2 loading ramps; re-build exterior fences to increase height; lighting; roof cover over selling ring; 'B' Double access.
• Council has allocated $250,000 for 2006/07 and further allocations of $250,000 for each of the following two (2) years, i.e. total of $M1 over 4 years (2005/06 to 2008/09).

CATTLE THROUGHPUT 2004/05 to 2010/11