By Kristin Murdock The Millicent Saleyards will close at the end of the month after declining sales over a number of years. Reports say competition from online and other nearby saleyards are behind the closure. Wattle Range Council voted at a recent meeting to end cattle sales at the facility by June 30 after a motion to recommence spending to improve safety standards at the facility, expected to cost about $1 million, was defeated. Public consultation surveys were considered and showed 52 per cent of 257 respondents wanted the saleyards to stay open. Earlier this year, only 73 cattle were auctioned at one sale at Millicent and in total, fewer than 4,500 head of cattle had gone through the saleyards in the past 12 months. The upgrading of larger saleyards such as Naracoorte and Mount Gambier, as well as increasing online sales were also a factor. Previously, council had received […]