Australian Abattoirs

Tamworth.1 #394 abattoir is currently an export facility operated by Thomas Foods International, Tamworth.  This facility processes sheep, another major abattoir in the area Tamworth2 processes cattle.

Other Names

Current Operation

Location

Owner

• Thomas Food International Tamworth

Operation

• T & R is the largest family-owned multi species export processor, with 120,000 sheep and lambs + 5000 cattle processed across 3 states each week¹
• Also own abattoirs Murray Bridge (SA), Lobethal (SA), Wallangarra, sheep  (QLD)¹
• T & R is biggest lotfeeder in SA – 6500 cattle on-feed Wanderribby Feedlot, Meningie¹
• Headquarters based at Murray Bridge¹
• Purchased 50% share of diversified wholesaler/distributor Holco meat²
• Turnover of $1.3B, is nations largest lamb and mutton exporter and significant beef, exports 80% to more than 80 countries²

History

2014

• July. Thomas Foods encouraging adoption of Individual Electronic identification (IED) of sheep³
• Note NLIS is compolsory for cattle in Australia but currently mob identification is acceptable for sheep.³
• Sheep IED costly, $0.83 per head in Victoria – where it is subsidised but $1.10 per tag in other states.³
• European Union alread do IED, could force onto Australian producers³
  • highly likely in the next 3-5 years³

2017

• April. JBS Australia announce they will temporarily close two of its southern lamb processing plant due to current livestock supply and price conditions⁴.
  • Cobram #397 Vic.
  • Longford #195 Tas.
• Other facilities that have also stopped production or reduced throughput recently are⁴
  • Deniliquin #2123 NSW
  • Esperance #1459 WA
  • Gunbower #    Vic
  • Tamworth 1. #394 NSW
• Some plants are currently operating on loss-making skeleton 3 day weekly kills⁴
• Recent spate of abattoir closures raises questions in regards to over capacity of the processing sector with oversupply of stock due to drought⁴
• Has been high levels of foreign investment interest in investments directed into processing⁴

Sources

1. ‘SA processor T & R beefs up its business’ Beef Central 13.02.13
2. ‘T & R takes 50pc stake in Holco business’ Beef Central 19.10.12
3. ‘EID drives repeat lamb market sales’ Stock Journal 17.07.2014
4. ‘Indefinite closures for JBS lamb plants, as supply challenge reaches critical point’ Beef Central 20.04.2017