Our mission is to strategically guide, promote and augment the growth of an innovative, sustainable and responsible Australian livestock market (with the highest level of honesty, integrity and corporate governance) through advocacy, industry support and development.
~ALMA
ALMA Snapshot
ALMA is the peak body for the saleyard and lairage industry, representing and promoting the interests of saleyard and lairage owners and operators... in short industry's voice at all levels of government and stakeholder engagement.
ALMA is the only true national entity working on behalf of this industry and currently represents the majority of the industry players from NSW, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia.
Our members provide livestock exchanges to around 1,200 stock and station agents and tens of thousands of livestock producers. Many of our members are local government entities but ALMA also represent private operators both large and small. Total transactions through our members' facilities is in excess of $5 billion annually.
Created in 2010, ALMA grew out of the amalgamation of the NSW, QLD and SA Saleyard Operators Associations..... bringing together the industry for the first time.
ALMA addresses key issues that have the potential to impact on the viability of the saleyard and lairage industry. It does this with the support of the industry and is recognised by government and industry as the united single national voice that speaks for and on behalf of the industry.
Saleyards and Lairages
What is a saleyard?
A saleyard is a physical auction market where buyers and sellers trade livestock such as cattle, sheep, pigs etc.
What is the difference between a saleyard/selling centre/livestock market?
Essentially, they are all the same thing.
What is a lairage?
A lairage is holding pens where livestock may be rested during transit to a market. Depending on the location, a lairage in this instance may also be referred to as transit yards or export yards.
A lairage is also term used for holding pens utilised to maintain a reserve of animals so that the processing line in the abattoir can operate at a constant speed and not be affected the variation in the rate of delivery of livestock.
Types of Sales
What is a store sale?
A store sale is a physical auction where stock are bought and sold. Most of the stock offered are for breeding or future finishing.
What is a prime sale?
A prime sale is a regular (often weekly) physical market auction where stock are said to be well finished enough for slaughter.
What is a fat sale?
A prime sale. The term fat sale is no longer used due to the perception by consumers as 'unhealthy'.