Horsham Rural City Council has received $1.49 million from the federal government to advance the project. 

The total cost of the project is $3.03 million. 

The additional $1.54 million will be sourced from the council in the form of an internal loan. It will be repaid by the livestock exchange over 16 years. 

Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange's manager Paul Christopher said a roof will be constructed over the entire saleyard. 

Mr Christopher said the cash boost has brought Horsham's livestock exchange into the "big game." 

"All saleyards have them and it's what people are talking about. Travelling to Melbourne, everyone is looking at the roof works at the Ballarat Livestock Exchange," he said. 

Mr Christopher said the idea was identified as priority two years ago by staff and in the livestock exchange's master plan.  

Related: Horsham Regional Livestock Exchange's roof plan gains momentum 

The project's long-term benefits included weather protection for livestock, staff, agents and buyers, improved livestock quality, CO2 emission reductions and reduced cleaning and maintenance costs.

The upgrade also includes LED lighting and solar panels and will enable a substantial amount of water to be harvested and re-used.   

"There are advantages from a human and animal welfare perspective," Mr Christopher said. "The sheep are out in 40 degree heat. The roof over the top of the saleyards will provide a better outcome for them." 

Mr Christopher said the roof's construction could start by mid-2019 after the council called for tenders.

Regional Services Minister, Senator Bridget McKenzie announced the federal government support at the Wimmera Machinery Field Days on Wednesday.

Ms McKenzie said the money helps "build and sustain" regional economies and communities such as Horsham. 

"It's going to make sure this facility remains competitive in an increasingly competitive livestock environment," she said. 

"This local facility drives over $70 million in economic return, which is a lot of jobs," she said. 

Related: Cash boost for Wimmera projects 

"It means more people are going to be employed going forward and it's backing an incredibly strong agricultural history and future for Horsham and surrounds." 

The livestock exchange is Victoria's fourth-largest sheep and lamb market and a major regional exchange for the Wimmera-Southern Mallee region.

Yarriambiack Shire Council is receiving federal funding to upgrade its regional livestock exchange in Warracknabeal.

Mayor Graeme Massey said the shire would commit $60,000 of its own money on top of the $204,137 Canberra is contributing to the Ram It Up project.

“It’s a win for both areas to have an upgrade, especially for the buyers who use both markets, the growers and farmers who come to our area probably don’t go to Horsham as much,” Cr Massey said.

“We probably handle 10-12,000 sheep a year, and we work in conjunction with Horsham - they do their work in the early morning and we follow at lunchtime to mid afternoon.”

Minister for Regional Services, Sport, Local Government and Decentralisation Bridget McKenzie also announced a $1.49 million upgrade of Horsham's regional livestock exchange at Wimmera Machinery Field Days on Wednesday.

Cr Massey said the money would be used on drainage, upgrading the administration office, concreting livestock ramps and putting rooves over about a quarter of the exchange’s holding pens.

“It will mean there is a better pathway for the sheep from when they are sold until they get to the trucks,” he said, “it’s going to be refurbished and streamlined”.

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