Category Archives: New South Wales

Blayney

Australian Abattoirs, Blayney, New South Wales 08/11/2013 Leave a comment

Other Names

  • ANZCO abattoir

Current Operation

  • closed 19982

Location   

Australia. Blayney

Blayney

Hema Maps – Australia Truckies atlas.

Owner

  • McPhee Meats2
  • 1996 – ANZCO1
  • Manager – Neville Newton, now managing Goulburn4

Other abattoirs in Australia

Go to this link to view Location of Australian Abattoirs

abattoirs_edited-1   

Operation  of Blayney #155

  • Sheep processing facility6

History

1900

  • Freezing works3

1957

  • abattoir opened, had been a freezing works prior. Latter tannery and pet food plant3

1976 – Not sure if this is correct because in 88 frieght company say they worked for Blayney’s last 43 years.

1963

  • February. At this time is an export facility operated by Blayney (Abattoir) County council6
    • Has chilling, freezing and freezing storage facilities6

1976

  • Tenders for contract to build beef facilities1 –
    • 2 story building, 1,800 sq m, able to process 100 head cattle per hour1
    • Electrical, Mechancial, Ventalation, Visera tables1
    • To commence construction November 19761

1987

  • Nov. Is registered at this time as an export facility
    • Operating under the name – Blayney Abattoir

1996

  • ANZCO bought insolvent abattoir from MPhee Meats – left unsecured creditors owed $6M2

1997

  • July. Is registered at this time as an export facility8
    • Operating under the name ANZCO foods Pty Ltd8

1998

  • April. Operations scaled back in recent weeks, Some 1,600 staff had previously been employed, now there was barely 1005
  • May. Closed – reason cited by ANZCO- stock shortage2
    • Industry sources say ANZCO left with large stocks or unsol meat as a result of Asian currency crisis2
    • NSW Meat Industry Authority (MIA)”there is definitely no shortage of stock or supply”2
    • “This year cattle killed in abattoirs have averaged 43,000 head a week an increase on average of 10,000 head over last the last year(dated 10.03.1998) Richard Tpnner, MIA2
    • AMIEU – suspect economic factors rather than stock shortages were behind closure2
    • sacked workers given one weeks notice – 580 people2
    • AMIEU accused ANZCO avoiding termination payments and redundancies – could be millions of dollars. – by citing seasonal factors allows ANZCO 8 month lee period before being deemed at closed for purpose of redundancy liability2
    • Blayney refus to indicate how long plant closed for.2
  • Refrigerated transport business who carried livestock and refrigerated meat for abattoir last 43 years also closed and selling 14 prime movers and trailers – abattoir was seasonal and not suited to transport company2
  • other recent closures Grafton, Gunnedah and Canberra2

2010

  • March. Aus meat listing of March 2010 doesn’t show Blayney #155 abattoir as a registered facility9.

2014

  • September. Proposal is put to council to build a new goat abattoir in the region20
    • Proposed $38M10
      • Facility would be attached to existing Blayney Sealink Cold store complex10
      • Plans have been submitted to council11
        • Expectations to commence building middle 201511

2016

  • June. Approval has not yet been received for development to go ahead11
    • Environmental concerns with 25 objections received11

 

Sources

  1. ‘New beef facilities – calling for tenders’ The Age 08.09.1976
  2. ‘600 sacked workers given just a weeks pay’ Sydney morning herald. 10.03.1998. http://www.abattoirs.com.au
  3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blayney,_New_South_Wales
  4. ‘Abattoir industry in a disastrous state’ ABC Rural 16.02.10
  5. Parliamentary Hansard. Speaker Mr RW Turner. 30.04.1998
  6. World on a plate – A history of meat processing in Australia. Stephen Martyn. 2014
  7. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-09-12/2438-million-goat-abattoir-proposal-for-blayney-sparks-efforts/5739222
  8. Aus Meat July 1997 Listing
  9. Aus Meat Mar 2010 Listing
  10. ‘Investing $38M at Blayney’ The Land 18/09/2014
  11. ‘Developers expect $38M Blayney …….’ Central Western Daily 07/06/2016

NSW Meat Industry Milestones

Australian Abattoirs, Factors affecting Operations, Milestones, New South Wales 08/11/2013 Leave a comment

General Quotes and Information

  • Neville Newton – 50 years working in abattoirs, managing Blayney, now Goulburn1.

“There are far too many processing abattoirs out there and not enough animals to slaughter”1

“Industry plight has been caused by record low numbers of livestock”1

“We’ve had a drought for a long period of time”1

“In fact, the only time I’ve ever seen it a bit like this was in the late 70’s and early 80’s with beef, there were large herd numbers and there was a very big cow and heifer kill and then all of a sudden they just ran out of numbers, At that time there were a lot of corrections in who owned bee processing plants in Australia”1

  • Central west NSW used to have 11 abattoirs, now it has 4. Cowra, Dubbo, Goulburn & Oberon. Currently 29 licensed red meat abattoirs in NSW, down 30% decade ago. (Dated 16.02.2010)1
  • Atleast 6 red meat abattoirs in Central NSW shut since 2003 (Dated 16.02.2010)1


Timeline Information

1987

  • Aus-Meat registered abattoirs in NSW – Not necessarily all abattoirs as it wasn’t mandatory to register with Aus-meat.
    • 16 – Export acrredited abattoirs2
    • 8 Domestic abattoirs2
    • 16 Boning facilities.2

1995

  • Federal and State governments agree on mandatory code for processing red meat in export and domestic abattoirs and meat processing plants.
  • Federal had been pushing for compulsory code of conduct for meat inspectors in all states.
    • Under existing arrangements a national code of conduct of inspection was in force but was applied voluntarily by the states
  • “Australia has the most rigorous hygiene standards in the world, but there was a pressing need to continually update the codes of conduct in the industry” Senator Collins.
  • Community and Public sector union alleged that cartons of meat with pesticide levels 12 times above allowable limit were sold on domestic markets. Also said it had details of meat subsitution rejected from export sold into domestic.
    • Union declined to substantiate allegations at special senate hearing in Canberra

1996

  • USDA reviewd Australian export abattoirs and found 14 of them unacceptable or marginally acceptable. Australian quarantine services conducted its own review and found all but 1 up to USDA standards5
    • Unacceptable abattoirs in NSW named6
      • NSW – Southern Country Foods – Wagga Wagga6
      • Rockdale Beef – Yanco6
    • Marginal abattoirs in NSW named6
      • Wingham abattoir – Wingham6
      • RG Gilbertson – Grafton6
      • Cargill Australia – Wagga Wagga6
  • “We have too many abattoirs to be economic, as a consequence corners get cut. We are the biggest exporter of beef to the world so it is vital we drive a massive rationalisation of the industry or we will be cut out” – John Carter, 10 years head of NSW Meat Industry Authority.6
  • AQIS did suspend 2 abattoirs after its own inspection found deficencies not picked up by USDA5
  • Australia’s beef export trade worth $1B5
  • Method of operation that is in question not the meat being produced is contaminated or off8
  • Europe blacklist in 6 meat exporters – citing animal welfare breaches and technical faults7
    • Europe $85M market7
    • Europe told AQIS – killing procedures in some inhumane, Stun guns were inadequate in 1 abattoir7
    • 6 of the 11 abattoirs inspected banned from exporting to Europe7
    • Australian Meat Council – animal welfare standards depended on which side of scientific  debate one listened to7
      • “what is a breach and isn’t is widely disputed both on rational and irrational grounds” Christopher Creal. Aust Meat Council.7
      • “Europe had enormous problems with trade in unsafe meat. There is a blackmarket trade in meat grown in some pretty nasty hormonal promotants, and vets have been murdered for trying to clean up chemical regulation”Christopher Creal. Aust Meat Council.7
  • “Far too many abattoirs operate with low-level expertise and management, They must be upgraded or they should be closed”. John Carter. Former head of NSW meat Industry Authority9

1998

  • Waterfront Industrial dispute – 1,800 process workers stood down.4
    • boycott of NFF and supermarkets and against the unloading of Australian products4
    • Abattoirs were unable to obtain empty containers for shipping requirements4

2013

  • Aus-Meat Accredited
    • 16 Export accredited abattoirs3
    • 0 Domestic abattoirs3
    • 10 Boning facilities3

Sources

  1. ‘Abattoir industry in disastrous state’ ABC Rural 16.02.10
  2. ‘Aus Meat Accreditation Listing November 1987 – private email, Ausmeat. 16.01.13
  3. ‘Aus-Meat accreditation Listing – current at 14.01.2013
  4. ‘1,800 Meat workers stood down’ Sydney Morning Herald (SMH). 20.04.1998. http://www.abattoirs.com.au
  5. ‘Threat to beef export trade’ SMH 08.02.1996.www.abattoirs.com.au
  6. ‘US names abattoirs producing bad beef’ SMH 24.01.1996.www.abattoirs.com.au
  7. ‘Europe blacklists six abattoirs’ SMH 23.01.1996. http://www.abattoirs.com.au
  8. ‘Meat Exporters have bone to pick with us’ SMH 19.01.1996. http://www.abattoirs.com.au
  9. ‘US threat puts $1B beef trade at risk’ SMH 18.01.1996. http://www.abattoirs.com.au

Casino. #239. NSW

Australian Abattoirs, Beef processing abattoir, Casino, New South Wales 05/11/2013 1 Comment

Casino is more commonly known as the Northern Co-operative Meat Company

Casino is an Export accredited facility processing beef and offal. It is the only Co-operative owned meat business in Australia.

Other Names

  • Northern Co-operative Meat Company

 

Current Operation

  • Aus-meat registration #02394.
    • Aus-meat listing accessed 02/10/2017
    • Export accredited facility
  • Casino is the only producer Co-operative owned meat processing business in Australia16
  • NCMC also operate a pig processing operation at Booyong20

Source http://ncmc-co.com.au/. Accessed 28.08.2017

Location   

Australia. Casino

Casino

Hema Maps – Australia Truckies atlas.

Owner

  • Northern co-operative meat company – Only farmer co-operative owned beef abattoir in Australia1
    • Chief Executive Simon Stahl1

Operation  

  • Service kill to customers involving up to 20 operators1
  • Specialised Wagyu processing plant – six regular kill customers provide 10% weekly beef throughput – 4000 head1
  • Direct incentive program offered to co-op members – paid $450,000 in incentive payments 80,000 slaughtered head.1
  • Membership is about 1500 members, both cattle and pork, including 1350 as ‘active’1
  • Members not required to gaurantee of livestock supply and competes with other processors3
  • Operates two floors – Capacity 12,500 a week, Beef floor over 150kg, veal floor under 150kg3
  • As a Cooperative is required to publicly disclose its end-of-year results unlike most other meat processors1
  • Also own Pig processing plant – Booyong, Casino Hide traders.3

Source Beef Central 05.11.2014. Logo

Source Beef Central 08.06.2017

History

1933

  • Northern Co-Operative Meat Co is established as a farmer owner processing business16
    • Service export and domestic beef and pork markets16

1933 – 1939

  • Founders for the first 6 years processed cattle in their own right36

1975

  • Casino Hide Tanners is established16
    • One of the first tanneries in Australia dedicated to the tanning of cattle hides for export16

2000

  • South Burnett meatworks at Murgon close.27
    • Leaves Casino as the only producer owned processing co operative remaining in operation in Australia27

2010

  • 2009/2010 financial year after tax profit $1.025M3

2011

  • March. Northern Co-operative say jobs will go if the Richmond Valley Council goes ahead with planned changes to its water charges14
  • May. Questions asked in legislative council in regards to general information of abattoirs in operation in NSW at the time that employ 50 full time equivalent staff or more.12
    • Casino Northern co-Operative Meat Co Ltd is included in list.12
      • Licensee –  Fung Lea Food Pty Ltd12
  • 2010/2011 financial year after tax loss $1.03M – impacted by climate conditions on cattle availability3
    • Start of 2011 was extremely wet19
    • High Australian dollar19
      • Escalated 26c19
    • Climate conditions had placed significant pressure on business in the January to March Period19
      • Peak production period is normally January to June19
    • Meat processing industry profitability isn’t constant19
      • Fixed costs are very high19
      • Lack of stock can create significant challenges19
        • Supplies predominantly come from independent parties for service kills19
        • When trading conditions become difficult they slow their production particularly when competition or prices of livestock increases19
  • Current CEO at this time is Gary Burridge19
    • Intends to stand down in April 2012
    • Mr Burridge had worked 18 years in this one position19
      • Will move to a new position with T & R Pastoral group20.
      • Will continue to hold Chairman position with Australian Meat Industry Council.20
  • Casino Co-op is currently owned by 1650 members who are predominantly cattle and pig producers19
    • No guarantee of livestock numbers from members19
    • Facility competes with other processors for throughput19
  • NSW Adult Cattle Slaughter throughput – www.mla.com.au
    • Statistics only for the State of NSW financial years.
    • Comparing monthly slaughter for entire state of NSW.

2012

  • Jan.Northern Coopertive Meat co takes on controlling interest in Ramsey meats business3
  • Acquired Ramsey Meats business (Grafton) and now closed.1
    • Ramsey – located Grafton closed operations 14.11.10, shifting business to Casino2
    • Legal representative – Move from Grafton regretted and not the companies preferred option, it appeared inevitable certain Government departments were “single minded in their efforts to achieve the closing of the abattoir business”2
    • Ramsey meats were heavily focused on veal production and had been shifted a service kill arrangement to NCMC since its closure20
  • February. New CEO is appointed. Simon Stahl21
  • Currently operates from Nippon Meat Packers Australia head office in Sydney21
    • Manager of innovation and regulatory oversight21
    • Joined Nippon in 1992, initially working at Oakey (QLD)21
    • Spent 7 (1995 – 2012) years as managing director at Nippons Mackay (QLD) plant21
  • June. 2011 / 2012 Financial year Profit $826,00022
  • Additional plant throughput (due to Ramsey Meat acquisition) had helped trading.22
    • Veal numbers up 73% on previous year22
      • Utilisation operating at 40% capacity in 10/11 now operating at 95%22
    • Beef throughput up 3% on previous year22
      • Beef floor currently operating at 100% capacity22
        • Yearly cycle is 90%22
  • Specialised Wagyu processing  a significant part of the Casino business22
  • Direct consignment incentive to co-op members on 80,000 head was $318,00022
    • Incentive is paid to co-op members by a custom kill operator committed to processing at Casino22
    • Currently 1550 members22
  • NSW Adult Cattle Slaughter throughput – www.mla.com.au
    • Statistics only for the State of NSW financial years.
    • Comparing monthly slaughter for entire state of NSW.

  • Casino is hopeful of being re-listed to supply Russia
    • Plant with 6 others was de-listed earlier in the year.
  • May. NSW unveils regulations to ensure wellbeing and welfare of animals.13
    • Regulations require a designated Animal Welfare Officer (AWO) to oversee and be accountable for the welfare of animals processed at each abattoir facility.
    • AWO’s will undergo specific training that will make them eligible for the position only if that training is completed.
    • All domestic abattoirs in NSW will be required to also have an AWO by 01/01/2013
  • June to December – processing period hard.1

2013

  • Jan – June.  – shift in momentum of processing numbers due to drought.1
  • Hitting weekly records and working extra shift1
  • Not so much extra animals due to drought but abundance due to supply from Northern properties, larger Southeast QLD processors  didn’t have to come south to source kill supply1
  • Plants beef throughput up 7%, to end of financial year veal floor utilisation up to 85%, beef floor – currently 100%, yearly cycle 90%1
  • NSW Adult Cattle Slaughter throughput – www.mla.com.au
    • Statistics only for the State of NSW financial years.
    • Comparing monthly slaughter for entire state of NSW.

 

  • August. Licence agreement is obtained to allow the Casino plant to process PCAS (Pasturefed Cattle Assurance System) on behalf of it’s customers-operators23
  • NCMC record a before tax profit $3.9M for the 2013 /2013 financial year.24
    • Driven by sharp rise in throughput in Jan – June due to effects of drought24
    • Veal numbers increased due to first full year of operations since acquisition of Ramsey meats24
      • up 25% on previous year24
      • Veal floor had been operating at 40% before Ramsey Meats purchase24
        • Now operating close to 85%24
    • Beef throughput was up 7%24
      • Beef floor operating at 100%, yearly cycle average 90%24
      • Processing 4,000 head a week24
        • Wagyu kill for six regular customers makes up 10% of beef throughput24
          • Challenging processing Wagyu because of customers requirement of different cutting lines for global customers and different branding and packaging24
    • Not a 12 month period record of throughput24
      • last quarter, weekly records of throughput were being achieved24
        • Saturday shifts being worked24
          • Possibly the first time the plant has operated on Saturdays24
  • Direct Consignment incentive $450,000 for about 80,000 head24
    • Achieving a new record level in  12/1324
  • Currently approximately 1500 members, cattle and pork producers24
    • 1350 regarded as active.24
  • NCMC Chairman at this time – John Seccombe24
  • Nov. Before tax profit -$3.9M for 2012/2012, up from $839,000 for 2011/20121
  • Passed Russian regulatory audit in November 2012, restoring full access to emerging market there1
  • Offering livestock suppliers a 20c/kg carcase weight premium on vealers meeting Pasturefed Cattle assurance system (PCAS)5.
    • Veal cattle 70-150kg5
    • have identified a large international customer who is keen to adopt PCAS as part of brand story5
  • Livestock suppliers under PCAS are receiving 20c / kg carcase weight premium for vealers25
    • A large international customer is keen to adopt program as part of its brand story25
    • 20c /kg is twice amount offered for PCAS on the beef floor.25
  • Veal throughput had increased 25% since the 18 months acquisition of Ramsey meats.25
    • Veal carcase around 120kg25
    • Vealers can range from 70 – 150kg25
  • Australian processors face higher costs of production, PCAS offers a way to differentiate their brand25
  • NCMC purchase Manning Foods36

2014

  • June. End of year profit for 2013 / 2014 $25.9M. Year ending 30/06/201416
    • High rates of slaughter due to drought
  • In general profitability across Australian export processing industry if high27
    • high export demand27
    • Abundance of relatively cheap cattle caused by drought27
      • Producers are receiving poor livestock prices27
  • NSW Adult Cattle Slaughter throughput – www.mla.com.au
    • Statistics only for the State of NSW financial years.
    • Comparing monthly slaughter for entire state of NSW.

  • September. Beef and Sheepmeat processors feature predominantly among Australia’s largest 500 privately owned companies.26

Source. Beef Central. 24.09.2014

  • Red meat sector presence in the top 500 listing is important26
    • 14 businesses listed were associated with the Meat and Livestock industry26
      • 12 were either processors or non-packer exporters26
    • Reflects the broad business activity of the red meat industry across the nation26
    • Most beef businesses are located in rural areas. Significant employers in those areas26
      • Top 4 red meat entries supporting close to 9,000 regional full time staff.26
    • All the red meat companies showed increased turnover in last financial year26
      • Once in a generation business opportunity driven by abundance of slaughter stock at cheap prices due to widespread drought26
        • particularly those plants with access to international markets.26
      • Normally abattoirs high volume, low margin enterprises26
        • this year high volume, high margin26

2015

  • March. Northern Co-Op export licence isn’t locked into the service of its foreign owner
    • Duopoly squeeze on producers causes pressure on prices and price signals producers do/don’t receive.15
      • Duopoly pressure is supermarkets in the domestic market that buy 60-65% of the domestic market and foreign ownerships hold on the export markets15
      • Australian beef processing is effectively owned by its major export market15
        • United States – in the form of Teys and Cargill15
        • Brazil – JBS15
    • Minimal opportunity for independent operator / producers to gain processing space to export Tier 1 to China or other Asian destinations15
    • “Efficiencies coming onstream in abattoir technology mean that a small southern works might be constructed for half the price of AACo’s operation at Livingstone, Darwin” Mr Burton Taylor, former chairman of AACo.15
    • Processor ‘gouging’ over the past 2 years of drought induced turnoff has occured15
  • June. Casino, Northern Co-Operative Meat Co posts a $23M profit before tax for 2015/2015, year ended 30/06/201515
    • Turnover of $301M, Net profit after tax of $17.9M38
    • Total assets of $134.4M 38
    • Result due to a number of factors15
      • record cattle throughput for the year15
        • Many stock turned off to slaughtered due to drought conditions15
    • Second years profit represents 2 of the best back-to-back years in the business’s 82 year history16
      • Bonus incentives to members totalling $3M16
      • Shareholders to receive dividend payments 12% of share capital value16
        • in addition to livestock supply incentive payments16
  • NSW Adult Cattle Slaughter throughput – www.mla.com.au
    • Statistics only for the State of NSW financial years.
    • Comparing monthly slaughter for entire state of NSW.

  • November. Significant capital projects to be undertaken include16
    • upgrading cold storage with the installation of plate freezing technology16
    • automated robotic system in the cold storage area16
    • upgrades to the beef floor16
      • Modification to the twin lead up races to knocking box16
        • replacement of conventional box with rotary box with the addition of accumulator chain16
    • new boilers16
    • waste management treatment facility at the tannery16
  • New capital projects planned to be commissioned in 201616
  • Outlook for 2016 was that stock prices would remain at or near historical highs16
    • Expectation that 10-15% reduction in cattle numbers being processed than previous financial year16
      • As per Meat and Livestock Australia predictions16
  • Service kill partners currently using the plant total approximately 16016
    • 20 core larger clients16
    • Others are smaller butchers or wholesale operators16
  • Facility has capability to kill 8,000 cattle per week on two separate processing floors16
    • One floor processes stock over 150kg16
    • Veal floor processed lighter stock16
  • Provides customers with world-class facility to process beef, veal or pork16
  • Accreditation as an approved processor for16
    • EU (European Union)
    • US (United States)
    • Japan
    • China
    • Korea
    • Halal
    • Organic and biodynamic markets
  • Operates and maintains a secure segregation system for carcases intended for separate markets16

Source http://ncmc-co.com.au. 23.08.2017

  • Largest component of business is Casino Service Processing (CSP) business division16
    • Operated in conjunction with Casino Hide Tanners16
      • Capacity to process more than 900,000 cattle hides per year16
        • Processes hides from green through to wet blue leather.16
  • NCMC independently operate their own marketing range of brand lines16
  • Casino will close one of it’s two beef chains for the season on 20/11/201528
    • inevitable undersupply of stock has caused the early closure28
    • Veal chain will be close 13/11/201528
      • Veal will be shifted to single chain until proposed final closure date of 16/12/201528
    • 150 casual staff will be put-off early28
    • Permanent staff will not be re-trenched or otherwise affected28
  • Had been a stock throughput decline of 30% recently28
    • Adult cattle numbers had declined 20%28
    • Veal numbers were back 70%28
      • Impossible to maintain both chains later into the season28

 

  • “Australian beef industry has gone from a 35 year high in beef herd size, to a 20 year low in the space of just 2 years” Simon Stahl, CEO, NCMC28

 

  • “Australian processors have been operating 30% above normal capacity for the last 2 years as producers responded to drought conditions by turning in their cattle for processing” Simon Stahl, CEO NCMC28

 

  • Subject to rain Casino plans to re-open its beef chain after a 3 week break on 11/01/201628
  • JBS Australia Townsville and Teys Australia announce early closures for the season due to cattle availability28
  • December.

Source. Beef Central 29.12.2015

2016

  • January. Infrastructure improvements are installed29
    • Upgrades will cost approximately $40M33
      • Tannery improvements costing $7M33
  • February. Meat and Livestock Australia 2016 industry projections predict a likely fall in the number of slaughtered cattle for 201634

Source Beef Central 27.01.2016

  • 2016 Beef kill Australia wide expected to be 7.6M head34
    • 18% decline from high point in 201434
    • 2017 is expected that kill numbers will be 7M head34
      • Lowest number since 199534
  • Live exporters are mounting increasing pressure against beef processors in Australia34
    • ‘Traditional’ processors areas of procurement for cattle are being entered by exporters to fill live boat orders.34
      • The separation that once existed in terms of live weight between boat (live export) and processed cattle appears to be breaking down.34
  • International markets are currently in a poor state34
    • Australian meat processors in general are making losses on almost all lines of slaughter cattle being processed.34
    • Producers previously had to wait long periods for kill space to sell stock to slaughter now those wait times have lessened34
  • Casino plant had cut back on the veal processing chain last year has resumed to processing on the chain of 50%34
  • Casino beef chain is currently operating at 70%34
  • March. Wiley undertakes major infrastructure improvements at Casino29
  • 4 Projects29
    1. New Cold chain management facility29
      • reduction in product movement and multiple handlings29
      • Implementing ASRS (Automated storage and retrieval system)29
        • 1st in a frozen environment in Australia29
        • 2nd installation in the world29
      • Capacity of 4840 cartons, throughput of 14,000 cartons per day29
        • Dematic smart sort carton system – European product33
        • Improvements in efficiency and traceability29
        • Increased storage capacity 33
        • Reduced manual handling and forklift movements33
      • Plate freezing capacity, blast chill tunnel 30
        • All product will be able to be frozen and chilled onsite33
      • loading dock cold chain compliant30
        • Ability to handle shipping containers and pantech trucks30
          • Trucks reverse into ‘igloo’ and seal encloses around the access point30
            • This will soon be a standard feature in the industry30
      •  
      • Completion is expected Mid 2016

 

Source Wiley 20.09.2016

  1. Design and construct knocking box and race system29
    • over 100 operators that use the facilities29
      • Require efficient facilities with a highly trained workforce29
    • Design principles based on Temple Grandin methods29

 Source Wiley 19.03.2016

  • Twin rotary knocking boxes30
    • design modification allows operator to change unit to suit the beast being slaughtered30
    • operates 30% faster than previous system33
    • Suits a larger range of animals30
    • Reduces stress on animal30
    • Longer than standard units30
  • Pivotal part of the abattoir process, setting rhythm for rest of facility29
  • Equipment was fitted offsite and installed in January29
  • Veal race was also re-directed.29

Source Wiley 20.09.2016

    1. Supply and relocated steam services29
      • Installed in January29
      • Utilises compressed air and hot water29
      • Previous existing structures were unable to support the loads and new gantries had to be made29

 

  1. Upgrade to waste water treatment at the Tannery29
    • Work at the Tannery will begin in June 201629
      • Costing $7M33
    • Upgrade existing chrome precipitation plant30
      • Improvements to waste stream segregation30
      • Additional hair removal with new hair savers30
    • Upgrades allow for marketing of hides to higher value markets30
  • Casino is approved for export to the USA, Japan, Korea and EU.29
    • Holding certification or organic and Halal processing29
    • Facility can process 12,500 cattle per week29
  • Improvements occurred while the plant was still in operation29
    • On- site access was limited29
    • Important not to interrupt production output being conducted29
      • Often work was conducted outside normal operating hours and at night29
  • May. Australia’s top 100 food and drink companies identifies 16 closely aligned with red meat processing, further processing or value adding sectors35
    • 2014 and 2015 delivered record processing thoughputs of livestock across Australia35

Source Beef Central 12.05.2016

  • June. ACCC (Australian Consumer and Competition Commission) hear from a local producer claiming that the region has suffered in recent years due to the changing dynamics of the local processing sector.36
    • Casino purchasing Ramsey Meats (2011) and Manning Foods (2013)36
      • Reduced the number of buyers operating on vealers in the local market from 3 to 1.36
      • Once the Co-Operative began to process it’s own cattle it impacted negatively on producer returns36
      • Traditionally Casino plant had paid a significant premium to the EYCI (Eastern Young Cattle Indicator), in the past few years this had been reversed.36
        • In 2010 Casino paid 27c/kg above EYCI36
        • In 2011 Casino paid 42c/kg above EYCI36
        • In 2012 Casino paid 30c/kg above EYCI36
        • Once Casino took over Ramsey meats in 2012 result was negative 2c/kg36
        • In 2014 Casino paid 20c /kg less than EYCI36
        • In 2015 Casino paid 31c /kg less than EYCI36
  • Casino plant had been operating at 30% capacity prior to the decision to operate as a veal processor in its own right36
  • CEO Simon Stahl refuted claims “EYCI was not a vealer based pricing indicator and was irrelevant in comparing against vealer prices”36
    • NCMC represented only 1% of young cattle traded.36
  • Operating as a service kill operator has some advantages but also weaknesses36
    • If individual operators start to lose money or they have a better option they go elsewhere36
    • Beef floor continues to operate predominantly as a service kill36
  • 2015 / 2016 financial year Casino makes a $1.57M profit before tax.37
    • Result would have been worse had it not been for the high level of throughput in the July to December 2015 period37
      • Numbers dropped significantly across Australia for all processors in January to June 2016 period37
    • NCMC had lost some of its service kill customers in the last 12 37
      • Specialised Wagyu sector was still a major part of the plants throughput37
        • 5 or 6 of Australia’s largest Wagyu  supply chains conduct service kills at Casino37
          • 20% of the plants throughput37
    • Beef chain numbers had been down 37% on the previous year
      • 2015 / 2016 was the lowest throughput for the last 15 years37
    • A significant loss in trading is expected in 2016 / 2017 due to the downturn in numbers37
  • NSW Adult Cattle Slaughter throughput – www.mla.com.au
    • Statistics only for the State of NSW financial years.
    • Comparing monthly slaughter for entire state of NSW.

  • Top 100 Australian food and beverage companies list

Source Beef Central 27.02.2016

  • September. Tannery Infrastructure improvement work has been completed30
    • Cold chain work expected to be completed October – November 2016.30
  • October.Casino for the first time has adopted service kill of manufacturing types (Cows and Bulls) to underpin rates of throughput37
  • Casino is currently killing 3 or 4 days a week on both beef and veal chain37
    • Processing 500 – 800 cattle per day37
  • Pork Processing business of NCMC is an important strategic diversification for the co-op37
  • Co-operative CEO at this time John Seccombe37
  • Casino General Manager Simon Stahl37
  • November.Top 100 list is released of Australian Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals (BCCC)38
    • Looks at Co-operatives and mutual enterprises in Australia38
    • Agriculture is relatively poorly represented in the list.38
    • Casino plant operated by NCMC ranked 27th on the list.38

2017

  • Facility can process 12,500 bovines per week17
  • Accreditations and Licences are available for viewing at this site NCMC

Source http://ncmc-co.com.au. accessed 23.08.2017

  • March. Chinese Premier visits Australia may yield significant trade access improvements for Australian beef and sheepmeat40
  • Trade access reform talks with China focus on key areas40
    • Removing current restrictions in chilled meat that only currently allow 12 Australian establishments to export chilled meat to China40
    • Opening up access to all Australian export eligible meat40
      • Currently access is limited by licence40
        • 15 red beef plants looking to export to China that don’t hold a licence40
        • With up to 60 beef and sheepmeat plants seeking to achieve access to China40
  • Approval is given to some beef and lamb processors in Australia to export chilled meat to China42
  • June. Casino plant is fined $15,000 from the NSW Environment Protection Agency (EPA)41
    • EPA claim Casino failed to meet the requirements of a Pollution reduction program at the abattoir and tannery41
    • NCMC rejects allegations saying the breach refers to a report submitted by NCMC41
    • IN early 2016 NCMC was required to develop a plan that demonstrated sustainable wastewater management at the premises by 30/12/201841
      • required a report to be submitted to the EPA setting out a program and measures41
      • EPA claim the report failed to address key issues41
      • Pollution reduction programs are included in the licensing environment protection licences and are legally binding41
    • NCMC have invested $10M on improvements to waste water management over the last 5 years41
  • Since 1990, more than 90 abattoirs across Australia have closed.41
    • Mostly in regional areas41
  • NCMC currently employ about 1,000 employees across 5 core business divisions41
  • 140,000 people employed in the red meat processing sector across Australia41
  • Cost pressures on manufacturing in Australia were real.41
    • if all stakeholders didn’t address the issues the red meat processing industry will move off shore.41
      • Like the steel and automotive industry have already done.41
  • NSW Adult Cattle Slaughter throughput – www.mla.com.au
    • Statistics only for the State of NSW financial years.
    • Comparing monthly slaughter for entire state of NSW.

  • July 26. China temporarily bans beef imports from six Australian meatworks due to concerns about labelling non-compliance.42
    • No suggestions of health or food safety42
    • Issues concerned multiple breaches to do with inner and outer labelling, on a small number of cartons 45
    • Chinese labelling requirements may seem pedantic but product substitution in China is very common45
      • Particularly through the grey trade routes45
    • 6 plants had been reported as suspended on the Administration of Quality supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China website (AQSIQ)42
      • Australian beef exports worth more than $600M last year42
        • China is the 4th largest market42
        • 2015 /16 exports to China of beef and sheep meats $970M (160,000 tonnes)45
    • Australian abattoirs affected are42
      • NSW
        • Casino (Northern cooperative Meat Co)42
        • Scone (Primo – JBS)45
      • QLD
        • Canon Hill (Australian Country Choice)42
        • Kilcoy (Kilcoy Pastoral Co)42
        • Rockhampton (Beef City – JBS)45
      • SA
        • Murray Bridge (Thomas Foods International – Murray Bridge)45
    • Shipments of meat were currently on the water42
      • Shipments were allowed to enter 28/07/2017 if they had already been dispatched prior to 24/07/201744
    • Need to resolve any labelling issues and AQSIQ and restore normal trade for the 6 affected plants425
    • US beef imports begin into China4
      • Direct competition against Australian products42
      • First time for 13 years USA have exported to China42
  • Australian government officials were working with industry and Chinese authorities to resolve the Chinese ban issue urgently.43
    • Australian and China have a strong bilateral trade relationship43
    • An audit was conducted of Australian facilities affected44
    • Beef industry commentators were mindful of any opinions that may cause negative implications to the talks and meetings to resolve the issue43
  • July 28. Chinese meat import ban is lifted.
    • Inability of Australian processors to access the market caused a combined market loss of $1M per day48
  • China had imposed a surprise blanket ban on chilled beef 3 years ago45
    • 1,000 containers of product had been affected at that time45
      • New Zealand had been imposed with 2013 ban and approached negotiations over re-entry with an assertive style45
        • It was in-effective with New Zealand only regaining access to China markets in the last few weeks45
    • Much less product was in transit with this current ban45
      • If the ban wasn’t resolved quickly the chilled meat may to be frozen down to preserve it45
        • Freezing the meat would lessen its value considerably45
      • If the containers in transit hadn’t been allowed in they may have had to have been re-exported to other markets at a lower value and frozen.45
  • August. Claims made in Federal Parliament that containers of Australian beef are about to be stranded on Chinese wharves are false46

Source Beef Central 15.08.2017

  • Australian red meat processing industry’s peak industry council call on all levels of government to recognise the impact that record input costs, regulatory burden and encumbered market access is having on the industry48
    • An axis of issues impact profitability and growth48
  • Churchill abattoir at Ipswich recently closed, leaving 500 staff out of work48
  • Meat processing industry is currently operating in the midst of the worst terms of trade in its history48
    • Record high livestock prices48
    • Livestock supply constraints48
    • Increasing input costs, including energy48
    • unfavourable exchange rate48
    • Burdensome and duplicative government oversight48
    • uncertain export trading environment, including technical market access difficulties48

Sources. Casino

  1. ‘Casino records $3.9M profit, driven by drought-induced throughput’ Beef Central 06.11.13
  2. ‘South Grafton plant to close’ Beef central 24.10.11
  3. ‘Casino takes big stake in Ramsey meats’ Beef Central 06.11.13
  4. Aus-meat Accreditation listing as at 14.01.2013
  5. ‘Casino’s new PCAS veal program to offer 20c/kg premium’ Beef central 06.11.13
  6. www.ncmc-co.com.au
  7. ‘Tender for Casino abattoir upgrades’ www.ncmc-co.au
  8. NSW Parliament 26.10.1999
  9. ‘Casino Abattoir Takes Up Ramsey Operations’ www.themeatsite.com 25.10.2011
  10. ‘Strong turnaround in profit for Casino’ Beef Central 08.11.2012
  11. ‘Bobby calf comeback at Casino with new veal export market on the cards’ ABC Rural 04.02.2015
  12. http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au. Questions on notice in parliament dated 31.05.2011
  13. ‘New regulations to ensure welfare of animals in NSW abattoirs’ Foodmagazine. 18.05.2012
  14. ‘Northern Co-Operative Meat company says jobs will go’ http://www.abc.net.au. 15.03.2011
  15. ‘Supply chokeholds ‘strangle producers’ http://www.farmonline.com.au 17.03.2015
  16. ‘$23M profit for Casino’s NCMC plant, after record throughput year’ Beef Central 02.11.2015
  17. Casino Service Processing. http://ncmc-co.com.au. Sourced 23.08.2017
  19. ‘Supply, $A behind Casino Meat Cooperative loss’ Beef Central 09.11.2011
  20. ‘Casino takes big stake in Ramsey Meats’ Beef Central 11.01.2012
  21. ‘New CEO for Casino plant’ Beef Central 15.02.2012
  22. ‘Strong turnaround in profit for Casino’ Beef Central 07.11.2012
  23. ‘Supplier opportunity emerges as PCAS momentum grows at Casino’ Beef Central 13.08.2013
  24. ‘Casino records $3.9M profit, driven by drought-induced throughput’ Beef Central 04.11.2013
  25. ‘Casino’s new PCAS veal program to offer 20c/kg premium’ Beef Central 05.11.2013
  26. ‘Processors feature prominently among Australia’s 500 largest private companies’ Beef Central 24.09.2014
  27. ‘Bitter-sweet result, as Casino lodges record $25M pre-tax profit’ Beef Central 05.11.2014
  28. ‘Casino joins list of early beef plant closures’ http://www.beefcentral.com. 13.11.2015
  29. https://www.wiley.com.au/news-events/ncmc-amn-article/
  30. https://www.wiley.com.au/blog/ncmc-upgrade-update-sept/
  31. ‘$30M project will help transform Casino’s Northern Co-op beef plant’ Beef Central 29.12.2015
  32. ”Full steam ahead’ Wiley 18.12.2015
  33. ‘Casino processor pumps profits back into productivity’ The Land 19.01.2016
  34. ‘Weekly kill: More cracks starting to show, as plants succumb…’ Beef Central 09.02.2016
  35. ‘Red meat processors feature prominently among Australia’s top 100 food companies’ Beef Central 12.05.2016
  36. ‘ACCC forum: Changing cattle market dynamics at Casino’ Beef Central 14.06.2016
  37. ‘Dramatic year on year contrast…..’ Beef Central 24.10.2016
  38. ”Red meat sector poorly-represented in cooperative business structures’ Beef Central 21.11.2016
  39. ‘Red meat processors feature prominently in Top 100 food….’ Beef Central 27.12.2016
  40. ‘Beef exporters confident of China access breakthrough during premier’s visit’ Beef Central 20.03.2017
  41. ‘Casino beef plant rejects $15,000 EPA fine’ Beef Central 08.06.2017
  42. ‘China orders halt to red meat imports from several Australian meatworks’ ABC Rural News 26.07.2017
  43. ‘China suspends six Australian beef business’s’ http://www.farmonline.com.au 26.07.2017
  44. ‘Breakthrough in Australia’s beef with China over meat exports’ ABC News 28.07.2017
  45. ‘What yesterday’s China processing suspension mean for Australian meat exports’ Beef Central 27.07.2017
  46. ‘Nothing behind Labor’s claims of beef access blockages in China, AMIC says’ Beef Central 15.08.2017
  47. ‘MLA Projections: Tightening supply set to further increase competition….’ Beef Central 27.01.2016
  48. ‘Abattoir closures must force recognition of…….’ Beef Central 30/8/2017

Bega.#. NSW

Australian Abattoirs, Bega, New South Wales, Small species abattoir 05/11/2013 Leave a comment

Bega was a domestic, service kill abattoir of small animals such as rabbits and poultry.

Unknown if currently in operation

Other Names

Current Operation

  • Unsure as at 06.11.2013.

Location   

  •  Bega is located 150km South east of Canberra, NSW east coast.

Australia. template Bega

Bega 002

Hema Maps – Australia Truckies atlas.

Owner

  • Co-operative owned – Bega Valley Gourmet meats co-operative small species1

Other abattoirs in Australia

Go to this link to view Location of Australian Abattoirs

abattoirs_edited-1   

Operation of Bega. NSW

  • Small species abattoir to process rabbits and poultry1
  • Service kill abattoir for local producers of small species1
  • Encouraged backyard breeders of small species to have animals processed at Bega and improve self suffiency2
  • Provided service to homesteaders and small scale farmers across the Bega valley

History

2004

  • June. Opened1

2012

  • Sept. “Despite rising costs for meat processors, small private orders can be profitable for abattoirs” Philip Wolf – Bega Valley Gourmet meats2

2013

  • Mar. May be forced to close
  • Only 2 members left and supplies of chicken and rabbits have waned3
  • Processing less than 100 animals, at peak was processing 800, abattoir has a very uncertain future.3
  • “Cost of keeping this place going has risen dramatically since we started nearly ten years ago” Chris Frank, Meat safety officer.3
  • “The commercial operation of growing poultry or rabbits has not kept pace with the costs of our operation here”.Chris Frank, Meat safety officer.3
  • Jun. co-operative is on brink of insolvency and looking to close doors at end of financial year4
  • Last small species abattoir in operation in NSW4
  • Meeting to be held in Narooma consider abattoir future4
  • “If people don’t have this option they are forced to buy chickens from Coles or Woolworths, we need the abattoir to keep local fresh produce viable” John Champagne, South East Producers Association4
  • Not enough commercial breeders of small animals in the Valley to support the co-operative,4
  • Insurance and electricity prices were a heavy burden4
  • Abattoir licensed to process bones of larger animals, cattle & sheep, but can not afford the infrastructure to expand its operations4
  • Meeting – 10 people signalled an in interest in using the abattoir which means its future is secure for now5
  • Lack of members and decline in the supply of chickens and rabbits has meant the facility has been struggling to meet its running costs.5

Sources

  1. ‘Abattoir welcomed’ Bombala times 16.06.04
  2. ‘Slaughter your own meat, says Bega Abattoir’ ABC rural. 03.09.12
  3. ‘Small abattoir at Bega may close” http://www.efarming.com.au. 15.03.13
  4. ‘Fight to keep Bega abattoir afloat’ Bega District News 11.06.13
  5. ‘Bega abattoir saved from getting the chop’ ABC News 14.06.13

Dubbo

Australian Abattoirs, Dubbo, New South Wales 18/06/2013 Leave a comment

Dubbo abattoir is located in central NSW and is the largest meat processor in Australia.

Current Operation

  • Operating (as at 2013)

Location             

Australia. Dubbo

Map Dubbo 002

Owner

Operation

dubbo plant_edited-1Source http://www.flectchin.com.au
The Dubbo processing facility

  • Is a world leading sheep meat processing plant that is fully integrated processing all parts of the animal4
  • processes own wool and significant quantities of shorn wool into tops, which are sold across the world for yarn4
  • main production is sheep meat, wool tops and various by products4
  • Exports to 95 countries4
  • Dubbo employs about 450 people, Processing capacity of 40,000 head13

History

1950

  • NSW government enacted a policy of decentralisation, led to slaughter works being established at Gunnedah, Dubbo, Goulburn and Wagga Wagga.(Pg 223)

1958

  • Establishment in NSW of central abattoirs in processing districts to supply all meat locally (Pg 224)
  • Six new abattoirs built Moree, Guyra, Blayney, Mudgee, Dubbo and Forbes.

1983

  • Council abattoir had been closed and pulled down (Pg 248)10

1988

  • Greenfield site was commissioned4
  • Roger Flectcher had tried to buy a number of other processing plants that were currently in operation or closed but others refused to sell or he was out bidded as rivals saw Mr Flectcher as a growing rival to their facilities.(Pg 248)10
  • Roger Fletcher designed, built and financed a new high tech plant at Dubbo, it was the first new plant for sheep processing in NSW for over a decade(Pg 248)10
  • Plant was innovative in way it was run10
    • new employment policies setting up first enterprise bargaining agreements in Australia(Pg 248)10
      • Allowed shift work, which other abattoirs couldn’t do due to union suppported tally system (Pg 248)10
      • worked with AMIEU, Minister of Agricultural Industries (Simon Crean) to establish new working culture and training programs (Pg 248)10
        • Dubbo was the first registered training organisation for the meat industry outside of TAFE (Pg 248)10
      • Dubbo was the first plant to hot-bone mutton10
        • Traditionally lamb was cold boned and packaged in carcass sold in stockings as legs, back straps and trunk, hot boning meant the carcass was broken up while still warm and cut into primal cuts12

plate freezers_edited-1Source http://www.fletchint.com.au

The Plate freezing equipment used that is automated

1990

  • Fellmongery commenced operation (Fellmongery is the process of removing wool from the skin)4
    • previously skins had been going to France unprocessed(Pg 248)10
    • The fellmongery produced wool tops. Through support of then Keating government wool scouring and wool tops plant was established to to make clothing, textiles and footwear(Pg 248)10
      • First example in Australia of a wool processing plant incorporated with an abattoir (Pg 248)10
      • Economies of scale of the vertical integration using inputs of labour and water assisted production (Pg 248)10

1995

  • Wool scouring and topmaking plant started operation4

1997

  • Roger Flectcher awarded the Distinguished Australian of the Year Award (Pg 251) in recognition of his contribution to business’s and community  in advice and assistance on many matters, some outside of the meat industry10

1998

  • Fletchers expand to Western Australia – Narrikup abattoir (WA)12 (Abattoir listing yet to be added to this blog site)

2003

  • Transport difficulties were always a problem at Dubbo, NSW had maximum weight limits meant 40′ containers could not be fully utilised.10
  • Flectcher’s built their own rail siding and spur line as the NSW government wouldn’t finance it10
    • 1.2km long12
  • Fletchers purchase Mudgee abattoir (NSW)

2006

  • Roger Flectcher was acknowledged for indigenous employment with Neville bonner Memorial Award, this award also commended his work in employing disadvantaged youth (Pg 251)10

2007

  • Charles Sturt University bestowed an Honorary doctorate of Business on Roger Fletcher (Pg 251)10

2009

  • December. Slashing production and reducing staff, Dubbo retrenched 300.7
    • Night shift will continue, traneeships suspended, employment no longer offered to Asian students, grey nomad travellers and gap-year students preparing for university11
    • Issues raised by Roger Fletcher in regards to production downturn – Devasting drought throughout eastern Australia, extensive world-wide industry changes, rising costs and plummeting sheep numbers11
      • Plans to gear back up facility when drought breaks11
    • National sheep herd at its lowest level sincer federation at 71.6M head7
      • fallen 7% in last year, down by 17.5M compared to June 20067
        • Citing Live export as major factor as many breeding ewes are being exported.7
        • Australia exported live sheep 3,578,182 (CY 2009)9, lowest export volume since 1990/91 and prior to that had never been lower after 1974/75.8 See Australian Sheep Industry
          • Authors note – I believe most sheep sent to Live export are older sheep or males, not suited for lamb slaughter in Australia.
        • Lee Norris (AMIEU) blamed Live export industry, particularly demand from the Middle East for pushing saleyard prices higher.7
      • Saleyard prices of sheep at historical highs7
      • Global financial crisis had failed to lead to expected falls in domestic and international demand.7
        • Surging demand for Australian lamb, domestically and internationally7
      • high Australian Dollar – Currently at US91.25c7
    • Tough times for entire meat processing industry, particularly exporters.7
    • December is normally a high throughput period, standdowns usually occur in winter.7

2010

  • January. Shift reduction – forced to scale back production because of a drop in stock numbers caused by the drought1
  • Shrinking sheep flock and record lamb prices blamed for cutbacks5
  • Plant wanted to merge night and day shift into one 10 hour day6
    • AMIEU demanded redundancies6
    • Plant proposed one week on/one week off shift structure.6
  • Fair work Australia hearing – new arrangement6
    • 300 casual staff without work1
    • 10 hour shift, four days a week, as first proposed with no redundancies.6
  • May. Hiring 50 new staff – plans to operate one shift a day and not 25
  • could take up to 5 years to reach peak production due to drought impacts5
  • Producers are holding breeding sheep in restocking phase after good rain6
    • forced the price of lamb up6
    • “If you have less sheep you’ve got to get the most from the product you have” Roger Fletcher, Company director6
      • to obtain extra cuts from sheep carcase, plant requires more people6
  • 5000 head of sheep being processed a day since end of January.6
  • Dubbo current capacity around 9,000 sheep a day.14
    • Exports over two thirds to 90 countries
    • Largest employer in the area that is inland regional
      • Around 40,000 population, 11% Indigenous
  • Dubbo employs 900 full time staff.14
    • Approximately 5% of all wage and salary earners in Dubbo
    • 70% of staff are full time and mostly male
    • 70 employees work in high-technology wool-top-making facility on site
    • Employ around 150-200 Indigenous people at any one time
    • Some overseas workers – Up to 65 overseas employees can be employed at one time under working holiday 417 visas.
    • Don’t use 457 visa holders to any great extent
    • All Halal accreditated slaughtermen are Australian residents
    • An EBA is in effect and provides pay and conditions above award rates
      • facility for staff to be paid piece rates
      • two thirds of workers are union members
      • AMIEU elected representatives on site
      • Joint consultative committee
    • Strong emphasis on internal promotion to act as reward and strategy to retain staff

2011

  • April Plant processing at only 60%3
  • Wool processing plant shut down due to Chinese competition (Pg 249)

 supply_edited-1

 

Source http://www.fletchint.com.au
Some of the 70 markets that the Fletcher company export too showing one of their brand labels.

Sources Dubbo.2  #2309

  1.  ‘Young reeling after abattoir closure’ ABC rural. 04.02.10
  2.  ‘Abattoir industry in disastrous state’ ABC rural 16.02.10
  3.  ‘Abattoir closures to come’ Weekly times 27.04.11
  4. ‘Roger Fletcher’ Lifting the Lid on Quiet achievers. 18.06.13.
  5. ‘Dubbo abattoir hiring new staff’ ABC News. 11.05.10.
  6. ‘Abattoir hiring new blood’ Daily Liberal. 11.05.2010
  7. ‘Lamb exporters make savage cuts’ The Australian 14.12.2009
  8. Australian Livestock export trade. N Austin 2011
  9. http://www.daff.gov.au, Sheep export voyages
  10. World on a Plate. Stephen Martyn. 2014
  11. ‘Fletcher chops 300 jobs at Dubbo’ The Land 09.12.2009
  12. ‘Roger Fletcher’ Meat Trade News Daily 01.01.2013
  13. Meat Processing in Australia. IBIS world. January 2014
  14. Work-skills-and-training-2301-1
  15. https://www.csu.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/614359/Fletcher-Roger-James.pdf
  16. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-05-11/dubbo-abattoir-hiring-new-staff/429854. 11.05.2010
  17. https://thenewdaily.com.au/money/finance-news/2013/10/24/dubbo-abattoir-completes-religious-kill/. 24.10.2013
  18. http://www.centralwesterndaily.com.au/story/2856478/dubbo-abattoir-and-workers-trying-to-sort-out-pay-and-production-dispute/. 03.02.2015
  19. http://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2015-05-04/fletchers-shut-abattoir-for-a-week/6443354. 04.05.2015
  20. http://www.farmonline.com.au/story/3297667/stock-agents-told-to-chip-in-to-saleyard/. 01.06.2015
  21. http://www.theland.com.au/story/4557324/energy-crisis-could-push-red-meat-processing-offshore/. 01.04.2017

Aberdeen. #736. NSW

Aberdeen, Australian Abattoirs, New South Wales 17/06/2013 Leave a comment

Closed Export accredited abattoir that processed beef.

It was intended to be upgraded in 1996 but closed in 1999 due to costs of processing.

Operation

  • Aus-Meat accreditation
    • Facility #7368.
    • Export Abattoir. Beef8.
  • Closed 19991.

Location

  • 13km N of Mussellbrook, 110 NW of Newcastle

Australia. Aberdeen

Map - Aberdeen.

Location relative to other abattoirs across Australia

Go to this link to view Australian Abattoir Locations

 

Owner

  •  Aberdeen Beef Company
  • Australian Meat Holdings

 

 History

 1891 

  • 361acres purchased. Australian Chilling and Freezing Co established1.

1892

  • First cargo of sheep and lambs processed1

1894 – 96 

  • Shut down due to drought and typhoid epidemic1

1904 

  • Reopened after many more years of drought1
  • Closed 5 months latter due to low supply1

1914

  • Began to process beef, rabbits and pigs, new areas of business also – butter1

1923-24 

  • F.J Walker1
  • Modernisation in CO2 to transport chilled produce

1939-40 

  • New mutton slaughter house, plus tallow processing1

1981

  • “In NSW 20 abattoirs have ceased operations and 4,000 jobs lost” Mr John Barry Mildren (ALP) Ballarat7
    • 27 meatworks has closed or forfeited export licences across Australia – loss of jobs of 10,571 people. Mr John Charles Kerin (ALP) Warriwa, Leader of opposition at the time7

1983  

  • Elders IXL Group1

1984    

  • Up to 1984 all livestock processed for export and domestic1
  • From 1984 on only cattle processed, graded, weighed, sliced, vacuum packed, blast frozen and stored for distribution1

1986 

  • Elders traded under name Aberdeen Beef Company1

1994

  • AMH purchase the facility10

1996

  • AMH controlled by big US rural commodities trader – ConAgra, a major exporter from North America5
  • AMH accounts for 16.5% of Australia’s beef kill.5
  • currently owns another 8 facilities but will be consolidating to 5 and closing
    • Beaudesert (QLD),
    • Guyra. NSW and
    • Portland (Vic)6
  • AMH continued to own
    • Dinmore,
    • Townsville,
    • Rockhampton
    • and Aberdeen5
      • Author note – not sure of 8th.
    • Intended that 300 jobs would be replaced at Dinmore when expansion completed there10
  • AMH undertaking a detailed study of redeveloping  the Aberdeen plant, would require an additional $50M upgrade to become internationally competitive

1999

  • March 16. Six weeks prior to official closure meatworks had a temporary closure10
  • April 16. Facility officially closes10
  • 400 employees received no income for 6 weeks10
    • Employees weren’t terminated, therefore didn’t qualify for social security10.
  • Chief executive of AMH departs for an overseas trip the day of the Aberdeen abattoir closure10
  • AMH weren’t interested in re-opening the works10
    • More interested in bolstering other sites they owned at the time10
  • AMH didn’t want to offer the facility to be leased but rather it be ‘mothballed’10
  • AMH didn’t act in good faith of workers10.
  • Aberdeen had a population of 1,70010
    • 1 in 4 people in the town had been employed at the facility10.
  • Closed1
    • 109 year old landmark, 400 local jobs2
  • More abattoirs could be threatened in meat industry shake-up.2
    • Other abattoirs in Scone/Hunter area future may not be stable2
  • NSW Opposition called on state government to push for further negotiations with AMH to persuade company to re-open.2
  • Closure reason – cited as stock shortages.3
  • AMH closed Aberdeen to send all cattle to Dinmore abattoir (QLD) – Even with added cost of cartage costs of processing were still $14 per head/cattle cheaper processed in QLD than NSW4

2000

  • November. Hon bob Carr MP, Premier of NSW announces a $12M NSW Meat processing Industry restructuring program to operate over a 3 year period9.
  • Evident that the NSW Meat processing industry has and is likely to experience structural change. Rationalisation within the industry will most likely lead to a net reduction in the number of abattoirs and employee’s required9.

 

Sources

  1. Aberdeen. http://www.upperhuntertourism.com.au
  2. ‘Hunter’s Meat Axe’ Newcastle Herald 15.05.1999. http://www.abattoirs.com.au
  3. http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LA20020314031
  4. ‘State rule shut abattoir’ The land. 06.07.00
  5. US beef exporters force three abattoirs to close SMH 15.05.2013
  6. ‘Guyra abattoir closure’ Mr Raymond Chappell 15.05.96 http://www.parliment.nsw.gov
  7. Parliamentary Hansard, 20 August 1981. Pg 595 – 604
  8. Aus-Meat Accreditation List. November 1987.
  9. Industry training. Clements, Speers