The Hamilton Regional Livestock Exchange expects to be operating an electronic identification (EID) system (EID) for sheep by April following the award of a contract this month to install the EID system.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Southern Grampians Shire said work to install the EID infrastructure would start in the week from March 5 and the saleyards was expected to have the system running by the state government’s deadline of March 31.
The council awarded a contract for the supply and installation of Radio Frequency Identification Devices (RFIDs) at the saleyards to Aleis Pty Ltd for a cost of $398,411 and Outcross Company Ltd for the supply of software and hardware at a cost of $60,858.
The council had delegated the awarding of the contract to mayor Mary-Ann Brown and chief executive Michael Tudball due to the limited time available to procure an EID system to meet the state’s March 31 deadline for the system’s implementation.
The council had secured funding for the project from the state government up to a maximum of $460,080 under the Electronic National Livestock Implementation Scheme (Sheep & Goats) transition package Saleyards – Phase 2 program.
Southern Grampians mayor Mary-Ann Brown said the state government grant was a major boost for the region.
“The Hamilton Regional Livestock Exchange is the first in the country to receive funding for RFID installation and we thank the State Government for their investment,” Ms Brown said.
“We are proud to be leading the way with EID technology.
“In doing so, we are ensuring the long-term viability of our saleyards, which are such an important asset to our region” Cr Brown said.
“The Hamilton saleyards process almost one million sheep each and every year – making it one of the largest in the state.
“Our redevelopment project is also nearly complete and with an investment of approximately $6.6 million we have created the premier livestock selling facility in south-west Victoria,” Cr Brown said.
The $6.6 million upgrade has so far installed roofing over the saleyards’ sheep pens as well as built new livestock pens, new walkways, drafts and ramps and installed LED lighting.
Still to be done is work on the saleyards’ cafeteria and offices along with new fencing and road sealing.
The state government introduced legislation in 2016 to make it compulsory for sheep and goats to be electronically ear tagged.
Stock agents are required to ensure electronic scanning and reporting on tagged sheep and goats at livestock exchanges.