Saleyards' future in doubt

The future of the Kojonup Saleyards is under threat after the Shire proposed to close the premises recently.

In response to a notification by the Department of Environment Regulation last year of the need to licence the Kojonup Saleyards and meet specific standards, the council was forced to consider the financial implications of operating and improving the small yards.

After last week's council meeting, Shire president Ronnie Fleay said those that use the yards were very keen to keep them running.

"The item has come back to size, and it was recommended they be closed because of the minimal usage and the costs to meet the regulations," she said.

"At the recent council meeting the issue was put back on the table, with preliminary feedback, and it indicated that hopefully the set guidelines can be changed for a smaller saleyard like Kojonup.

"It is frustrating you have compliance regulations apply to that of a cattle feed lot."

The DER assessment highlighted the need for the Shire to comply with certain standards, which included appropriately discharging captured water into sewer ponds.

Kojonup farmer Rob Egerton-Warburton said there was a need to look at what was practical as far as maintaining the yards to an appropriate standard for producers in Kojonup.

"The yards don't need to be state-of-the-art for the amount of use they get," he said.

"There is a simple solution, all it needs is some drainage, technically there are not a lot of sales and it may not generate economic value, but from a strategic point of view and means of quarantine, people can drop sheep off and pick them up safely."

Elders Kojonop territory sales manager Peter Wharton said many western clients chose to buy at Kojonup saleyards rather than the bigger yards like Katanning.

"Farmers tend to achieve a four to five premium through here compared to other yards," he said.

"It is a battle we have to take on because it will have implications for other yards if it closes."