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Roma

Australian Abattoirs, Beef processing abattoir, Queensland, Queensland abattoirs - regions, Queensland list A-Z, Roma, Sheep processing abattoir 14/01/2018 Leave a comment

Other Names

Ladbrooks¹

Current Operation

Location

Roma is located in Central Queensland approximately 470km west of Brisbane.

Hema Maps – Australia Truckies atlas.

Owner

George & Alanah Ladbrook¹

Operation

History

2002

Abattoir purchased by Ladbrooks.¹

2014

Was killing 40 head of cattle and 200 lambs a week.¹
Sold abattoir due to difficulty in operating two businesses of the abattoir and a butcher shop¹

Sources

‘George on the job 20 years’ QLD Country Life 03.07.2014

Mudgee

Australian Abattoirs, Beef processing abattoir, Goat processor, Mudgee, New South Wales, Sheep processing abattoir 16/07/2014 Leave a comment

Other Names

Cudgeong abattoir

Current Operation

Location

Mudgee is located 120 kilometres north of Lithgow in NSW on the western side of the Great Dividing range.

Hema Maps – Australia Truckies atlas.

Owner

Cudgegong Shire Council ( ? – 1988)¹
Flectcher International exports – 1988¹

Operation

Last council-owned meatworks to survive the rationalisation of the meat processing industry¹

History

1965

Built as a service works for local butchers²

1981

Roger Flectcher – started his meat processing career when he leased the boning room at Mudgee and operated until 1988² when he built Dubbo abattoir (NSW)

1996

Up to half of NSW abattoirs could close with the loss of up to 5,000 jobs¹
- abattoirs are outdated and inefficent¹
- Beef export abattoirs at Wingham (NSW), Mudgee (NSW), Gunnedah (NSW) and Inverell (NSW) are most at risk to close¹
- Small number of modernised plants likely to survive restructuring Young (NSW), Cootamundra (NSW), Gundagai (NSW), Culcairn (NSW), Harden (NSW)¹
- Handful of efficient and niche market operators insulated from fall out Casino (NSW), Macksville (NSW), Scone (NSW) and Lismore (NSW)¹
- New privately owned and speciality sheep plants such as Goulburn (NSW) and Dubbo (NSW) killing 60% of NSW mutton are examples of what can be achieved by investment in capital¹
- Increased US beef into previous Australian market share in Japan, Korea and Taiwan increased pressure¹
- Live export of 500,000 cattle to Indonesia and Philippines increased pressure on operations of beef processing abattoirs¹
Authors Note – Majority of live export cattle during this period would have been Bos Indicus or crosses to South East Asia markets, sourced from mainly northern Australia. Not animals suited to heavy slaughter in Australia and from herds whos’ production was not likely destined for abattoirs in NSW.

Source – Live Cattle Exports. Australian Commodities Vol 5 #2 June 1998

Chart showing the high volume of South East Asia live cattle export destinations period 1990 – 1998

2003

August. Mothballed¹
Had employed 230 people¹
Accumulated debts of $13M, had appointed an administrator.²
2002/2003 processed²
- 32,000 cattle²
- 600,000 sheep, lambs and goats²
- 1,300 deer²
Liquidator – Steve Parberry of PPB chartered accountants²
Tender Sale conducted by David Nolan Rural and Project marketing²
Previous 5 years of operation it had worked almost entirely for 5 major export customers including²
- Mudgee co-op for sheep²
- Melbourne beef processor – GH Keily²
December. Purchased by Fletcher International Exports.¹
- Fletchers own Dubbo abattoir (NSW) and Katanning (WA)
Would be atleast a year or later before the plant will be sufficently renovated to enable operation¹
- $3M rebuilding program at the plant¹
  - New freezers would need to be installed to allow for more freezer capacity¹
  - the current coal-fired boilers need to be replaced with natural gas to cut operating costs¹
  - Beef line was good, boning room had heavy investment¹
  - Utilise as a single species abattoir – beef¹
    - enable plant better chance to survive as cattle numbers not as severely depleted due to drought¹

Sources

‘Abattoirs revived’ Stock and Land 24.12.2003
‘Meatworks jobs saved’ The Land 25.12.2003
5,000 jobs at risk:Abattoirs facing closure’ Sydney Morning Herald. 21.05.1996

Cootamundra.1 #87. NSW

Australian Abattoirs, Beef processing abattoir, Cootamundra, Goat processor, New South Wales, Sheep processing abattoir 25/05/2014 Leave a comment

Cootamundra is located in south eastern NSW. It was operated by one owner for over 30 years to be recently sold to another Australian group, Manilda in 2014. The same year it obtained tier 2 export status. The facility was mothballed in February 2017 due to lack of sheep supply but remains registered under Aus-meat. (Accessed 02/10/2017)

Other Names

GM Scott lamb and beef processing plant²
Manildra Meat Company, from 2014.

Current Operation

Is currently mothballed as at 25/02/2017
Ausmeat accreditation Number 0087.⁶
- Accredited as a domestic abattoir current in 1987 as #35N⁷
MSA accredited plant Establishment Number 0035 current as at 27.08.2013⁸
Accredited as a Export abattoir current in 2013 as #87⁶

Location

Cootamundra is located approximately 95 km north east of Wagga Wagga
Facility is located on the Temora road¹⁹

Hema Maps – Australia Truckies atlas.

Other Australian Abattoirs.

This link will lead to a interactive page that lists past and present abattoirs, meatworks and processors in Australian.

Owner

GM Scott¹
- Owner Barry Noble.³
Manilda Group (2014)⁴

Operation

Cootamundra is a multi species abattoir that has capacity to process²²
- 4,000 small stock and²²
- 600 head of cattle per day²²
- Has a goat processing line²²
- Export access to 160 countries including Asia, The Middle East, Northern America and Pacific Islands²²
- Employs 300 people²³
GM Scott – Is a privately owned business with an annual turnover of $25M³
Gas-Flushed cryovac system for products produced³
- Product is sold into export and domestic markets³
Brand name used is – Noble farm brand.³

Source. ‘Manildra remains committed to town’ Cootamundra Herald 11.06.2015

Manildra Meat Company, Cootamundra abattoir

Contacts

For employment enquiries contact Manildra Meat website and go to contacts.

History

1952

Cootamundra facility established³

1963

Cootamundra facility is currently operated by Conkey & Sons Ltd³⁴
- Export facility that has chilling, freezing and freezing storage capacity³⁴
- Authors Note. This facility could actually be in relation to Harden NSW

1980’s

Noble family purchase facility³
Manager / Owner is Barry Noble¹²
- Originally the facility was established by Mr Noble’s wife’s (Colleen) parents¹².
- GM Scott name is derived from Mrs Colleen Noble’s mother’s name. Grace Margaret Scott¹².
  - Mr Barry Noble had worked at an abattoir in Homebush¹²..
    - Homebush was Government owned and closed down¹²..
    - Upon closure Mr and Mrs Noble looked at sites for their own establishment¹².
Area of Cootamundra was centrally located with an abundance of top quality livestock in the area to source supply¹².

1987

Facility is currently registered as a domestic processing facility under Aus-meat #35N³⁵
- Registered name under GM Scott as a domestic facility³⁵
Authors Note. It is possible that Cootamundra had 2 abattoirs operating in the region at this time. (Note made 04.01.2018)
- Another domestic facility is operated as Cootamundra Abattoir see Harden NSW

1996

Up to half of NSW 56 abattoirs could close with the loss of up to 5,000 jobs¹
- abattoirs are outdated and inefficent¹
- Long awaited restructuring of the state’s meat processing sector needs to occur and has begun¹
- Beef export abattoirs at Wingham (NSW), Mudgee (NSW), Gunnedah (NSW) and Inverell (NSW) are most at risk to close¹
- Small number of modernised plants likely to survive restructuring Young (NSW), Cootamundra (NSW), Gundagai (NSW), Culcairn (NSW), Harden (NSW)¹
- Handful of efficient and niche market operators insulated from fall out Casino (NSW), Macksville (NSW), Scone (NSW) and Lismore (NSW)¹
- New privately owned and speciality sheep plants such as Goulburn (NSW) and Dubbo (NSW) killing 60% of NSW mutton are examples of what can be achieved by investment in capital¹
- Increased US beef into previous Australian market share in Japan, Korea and Taiwan increased pressure¹
- Live export of 500,000 cattle to Indonesia and Philippines increased pressure on operations of abattoirs

1997

July. Cootamundra abattoir is currently Domestically registered under Aus-Meat as #35N³⁶
- Operator – GM Scott P/L.³⁶
  - Processing Beef and Sheep³⁶

2000

March. Cootamundra abattoir #35N is currently registered as a domestic processing facility³⁷
- Operator – GM Scott P/L³⁷
  - Processing Beef and Sheep³⁷

2008

June 7. Major product recall occurs for lamb products supplied by Cootamundra to Woolworths supermarket chains⁹
- Lamb products brought between May 27 and June 5 in NSW, Vic, Tas, SA and NT have been recalled⁹.
  - QLD products brought between June 7 – 14, only lamb and cheese rissoles, lamb mini roast and economy burgers are recalled¹⁰
  - No products are affected in WA¹⁰
  - Safeway has issued a recall of some of lamb products in some of its Victorian stores¹⁰
- strange odour emanating from some of the products⁹
- no specific health risks but issuing the recall as a precaution¹⁰
Manager at Cootamundra abattoir, Arthur Cullen resigns¹¹
GM Scott Current Director – Peter Noble¹¹
July. Cootamundra abattoir #35N is currently registered as a domestic processing facility³⁸
- Operator – GM Scott P/L³⁸
  - Processing Beef and Sheep³⁸

2009

July. Cootamundra abattoir #35N is currently registered as a domestic processing facility³⁹
- Operator – GM Scott P/L³⁹
  - Processing Beef and Sheep³⁹

2010.

Meat processed at Cootamundra was sold in all Woolworths stores throughout NSW²²
- boneless leg of lamb or a French rack of lamb²²
March. Cootamundra abattoir doesn’t appear on Aus-Meat registration listing⁴⁰

2012

June. Facility received a significant industry accolade award for development work with a robotic carcase cutter.²
Current capacity to process 200 cattle and 3,800 lambs daily²
Principally supplying supermarket group Woolworths.²
Robotic arm development – Robotic Ovine Cutter (ROC)²
- First of its kind in the world²
- Originated from a prototype installed at Midfield Meats in Victoria around 2006²
- Can cut up to 4 cuts per carcase²
- Processing 360 carcases an hour (Average 10 seconds per carcase)²
- If doing 2 cuts per carcase can process 450 carcases per hour (Average 8 seconds per carcase)²
- Cutting system is designed to²
  - handle wide range of carcase size²
  - utilises vision-profiling²
  - dustless blade-cutting technology which prolongs shelf life²
  - High cutting efficiencies that increase accuracy and yields²
- ROC is expected to have significant impact on the meat processing industry over the next 5 years²
- Eliminates 4 bandsaw cuts that would otherwise be made manually by an operator²
- Increases OH & S significantly²
- With further refinement anticipate speeds up to 600 carcases per hour (Average 6 seconds per carcase) could be achieved²
August. Cootamundra abattoir is the first abattoir in Australia to receive Federal Government funding for carbon mitigation project.³
Facility will undertake $200,000 project to help industrial refrigeration units to run more efficently³
- Include upgrading or recycled rainwater project³
- will combat rising energy costs and improve productivity³
Current processing capacity 3500 lambs and 200 cattle daily³
Currently employs 200 people³
December. Patriarch Barry Noble passed away⁴
- Owner of the Cootamundra facility Mr Barry Noble dies of a respiratory illness¹².
  - Died at 85 years old. Established the abattoir in the 1980’s¹².
- Installation of improved technology had always been very important to Mr Noble to enable the facility to keep ahead of competition¹².

2013

Facility placed on the market as family members pursued other professional interests⁴
Facility had recently had $17M invested on a new processing floor with a view to upgrading from tier one to tier two export status⁴
- Allowed opportunity to export markets like Japan, Korea and the US⁴
January. Cootamundra abattoir is registered with Aus-Meat as an export processing facility #87⁴¹
- Operator – GM Scott P/L⁴¹
  - Processing Beef, sheep, goats and offal⁴¹

2014

April. Plant cuts production from five days to four due to lack of lamb supply¹⁹
June. Manildra Group Purchase facility⁴
- Manildra is Australian owned⁴
  - Manildra is 100% Australian owned¹³.
    - Family owned and run business¹³
      - Honan Family¹⁷
      - Interests in ethanol, flour, sugar and value added products such as starch¹³
      - Stockfeed business with crop processing ventures in 5 regional centres¹⁷
    - Company is 62 years old¹³
      - Employs over 1,000 people¹³
        
        Most are located in regional Australia, head office is located in Sydney¹³
    - Manildra also recently purchased a beef boning room and retail ready meat packaging facility in Bomaderry (150km South of Sydney on the East Coast)¹³
    - Also operated starch and gluten plants in the US for 35 years¹⁷
    - Purchased Argyle Prestige Meats in the South West Slopes¹⁷
      - Manildra purchased a 50% stake¹⁷
      - Argyle meats moved from leasing boning and packing facilities at Harden abattoir to a high tech operation at the former Dairy farmers factory in Nowra¹⁷
2 Chinese entities and 2 Australian entities considered or placed bids for facility⁴
Manildra plan to lift processing capacity beef kill immediately to 150-200 a day⁴
- processing mainly company owned cattle.⁴
- The existing beef line has been under-utilised in the past¹³
  - Modestly working 100 head per day initially¹³
Facility has current service kill contract with Woolworths to process and bone 1,400 lambs a day⁴
Lambs are sourced from Wagga to Griffith, Forbes, Goulburn up to Cooma⁴
The local area is very high MSA (Meat Standard Australia) capabilities
- Major selling point for Manildra with easy access to stock¹³
Manildra had been a client of GM Scott in the past¹³
July 1. Official takeover of Manildra group of the Cootamundra abattoir ¹³
Management team
- Launches the Manildra Meat Company ¹⁷
- GM Scott business manager – Bill Scott¹³
- Manildra Group director of business development Peter Millard¹³
- GM Scott CEO Len Jones¹³
Full export licence granted – expanded potential overseas markets from 18 to 148⁵
- ‘tier two’ export¹³
- Has taken 14 months in application of process to obtain the licence¹³
  - Market export increase capability from 22 to 184¹³
- GM Scott already had connections with USA & Hong Kong¹³
  - working toward ties with China¹³
Cootamundra abattoir is the largest employer in the area¹³
Target markets will be⁵
- Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Taiwan and Papua New Guinea⁵
- China – Took over the Middle east as Australia’s biggest lamb and sheep meat market⁵
- Middle East markets – take a lighter lamb, most sourced locally or from the New England area⁵
  - recently was a good market for mutton to ME but now is not viable to produce for⁵
Most prime lamb is sourced within 100km of abattoir⁵
- 70% of the meat processed is service kill.⁵
- 30% is export⁵
Currently processing 4000 lambs and 200 cattle a day, with 200 employees⁵
Cootamundra abattoir is confident of continued source of supply even if abattoir at Young opens⁵
Cootamundra compete with abattoirs in Victoria and Queensland for livestock⁵
September. New Goat abattoir is proposed at Blayney, off Newbridge road¹⁴.
- Blayney is located approximately 200km North East of Cootamundra¹⁴
- Goat specific abattoir $38M project¹⁴
  - Only one of its kind in the state of NSW¹⁴
    - Capacity 13,500 goats¹⁴
      - 4,500 processed daily¹⁴
    - located at the current SeaLink Freezer site¹⁴
  - could employ 165 people likely 5 days per week¹⁴
- Environmental impact will be completed mid October¹⁴
- Strong opposition from neighbours, residents and business in regards to noise, traffic, smell and impact of the facility¹⁴
Cootamundra livestock producers are looking to a 2nd abattoir in Cootamundra to process livestock for the domestic market¹⁵.
- Export lines are given priority kill over other supplies of kill space¹⁵.
  - Facility and management require large numbers and would desire full vertical control of all animals and outgoing meat products¹⁵
- Many farmers in the area are organic producers¹⁵.
- Manildra investment is great for the town has meant some producers have had to seek other facilities to kill stock¹⁵
- Manildra meat Company have offered producers services of its plant on commercial terms appropriate to the operation of the business¹⁵.
October. Cootamundra abattoir is currently export registered #87⁴³
- Operator – Manildra Meat Company⁴³
  - Licensed to process beef, sheep, goat and offal⁴³
November. 2nd abattoir in Cootamundra gains momentum with a proposed location identified along Turners Lane¹⁶
- Facility would focus on service kills¹⁶
- small multi-species abattoir¹⁶
- Local farmer David Booth leading the push for the abattoir¹⁶
  - previously had lambs and goats processed at Manildra¹⁶
  - Not allowed to open a small abattoir on his property due to Council Local Environment Plan of the area zoning¹⁶
- Investment funding is being sought¹⁶
  - Potential investors have pledged support¹⁶
    - wholesalers in Canberra, butchers and small farm operations¹⁶
- Proposed abattoir would be independently run¹⁶
- New proposal could exist with current abattoir¹⁶
  - “We will focus on small, domestic service kills, They will be all about processing only with no packaging or wholesale from the site. We don’t intend to put anything in a box” Mr David Booth¹⁶.
December. $10M upgrades are occurring at the Cootamundra abattoir¹⁷.

2015

March. Facilities staff and management commit to very high standards of Animal Welfare¹⁸
- Livestock manager David Alexander¹⁸
- Abattoir aimed to not only meet industry standards but be industry leaders¹⁸.
Animal Welfare is the single biggest issue currently being faced¹⁸
- Improvements are made to ensure the animals are calm and as stress free as possible¹⁸
A new shed will increase the undercover capacity to 7,000 animals¹⁸
- sheep will be kept dryer and cleaner¹⁸
- New pens will enable better access to water¹⁸
- flooring used will be steel mesh¹⁸
  - Previous timber floors break and cause injury¹⁸
Vets are in attendance each day and asses each animal for injury and ailments¹⁸
Any animals deemed unfit for slaughter are euthanased¹⁸

Source ‘Animal Welfare awareness at the abattoir’ Cootamundra Herald 26/03/2015

Working dogs are muzzled to prevent biting. The dogs are restrained in purpose built dog boxes when not required and used sparingly.

Graded steel ramp used for the sheep to reach the initial restrainer stunning area is about 3 – 5 storeys high. Sheep were unsettled when the sheep could see they were elevated. Construction of a corrugated iron floor beneath the ramp, concealed the height and allowed the sheep to move up it more calmly¹⁸.
- Eventually the entire ramp will be concealed¹⁸.

Source ‘Animal Welfare awareness at the abattoir’ Cootamundra Herald 26/03/2015

Sheep following each other towards the restrainer

Source ‘Animal Welfare awareness at the abattoir’ Cootamundra Herald 26/03/2015

This sheep stands at the top of the ‘restrainer’ before it is electronically stunned by the device pictured

4 men herd the sheep through the gates and towards the stunning area¹⁸.
3 men are stationed at the helm of the operation of the stick hole¹⁸
- 1 is the stunner and 2 hang the limp carcases¹⁸
Manildra process 3,400 sheep and lambs each day¹⁸
- and 100 head of cattle¹⁸
- Site is being upgraded to process 4,000 sheep and lambs¹⁸
  - and 300 head of cattle a day¹⁸
June. Seasonal downturn allows for upgrades to the meatworks¹⁹
Rumours working hours have been reduced¹⁹
Lamb prices were up to $6.10/kg carcase weight at the last Cootamundra stock yard sale¹⁹
- Higher prices are believed to be part of the reason for cut in production¹⁹
Other abattoirs are facing similar issues¹⁹
- Dubbo, Fletchers had shut its plant for a week due to a shortage of sheep¹⁹
  - Non-production week used to do maintenance on the plant¹⁹

2016

September. Abattoir nears completion of capital works²⁰
- Expansion of the beef slaughter floor²⁰
- Improvements to staff amenities²⁰
Had been a contraction in beef processing line due to on farm and saleyard cattle prices²²
October. Dam located on Manildra meats property bursts it banks and nearly derails a train²¹
- Dam is located 2km from the abattoir facility²¹
- Dam only contains run off storm water²¹
- Dam had burst its banks and washed away part of a railway embankment²¹.

Source ‘Train nearly derailed as dam bursts’ Cootamundra Herald 06.10.2016

Dam located on Manildra Meat company land bursts its bank and undermines the train track.

As of December this year the Cootamundra abattoir would no longer process meat for Woolworths²².
- Traditionally Woolworths had been a major customer²²
- Well known in 2010 that lamb meat processed in Cootamundra was sold throughout NSW Woolworths stores²².
- Followed a competitive tender process²⁴
- Loss of Woolworths will provide Cootamundra opportunity to expand domestic and export business²²
Staff numbers would be assessed according to seasonal demands and industry challenges²²
Contract to process lambs for Woolworths has been lost to the Junee Abattoir²⁴
Local producer Ron Ward and ACT’s Griffith butchery win 3 awards at the Official Great Aussie pie competition²⁵
- Mr Ron Ward used to have his meat processed at Cootamundra but since 2014 now has his stock processed at Cowra²⁵.
November. New General Manager Jason Graham²⁶
- Managed New Zealand abattoir 3 years²⁶
  - New Zealands’ largest red meat processing facility²⁶
Accessible abattoirs willing to process organic produced animals is of concern to local producers²⁷.
Very important to local producers to have the capability to diversify to spread risk and enable a spread of earning possibilities²⁷
- Manildra closed its beef floor to organic animals²⁷
- Cowra’s Breakout River abattoir beef line is fully booked at the moment²⁷
- Young abattoir may re-open for beef, but not sure when²⁷
- Sheep can be service- killed at Cootamundra²⁷
- Goats can be killed at Cootamundra²⁷

2017

February. Manildra Meat Company, Cootamundra Abattoir will close²⁸
- Last kill will occur 24/02/2017²⁸
- Plant will be mothballed²⁸
Authors note – Mothballed is a term used to describe placing a facility in shutdown but still keeping up maintenance and all required standards to re-open and begin operation of animal slaughter in a short period of time. Facilities may maintain Aus-meat registration status even though they are not actually processing any stock.
- A maintenance team will be at the facility²⁸
Very difficult meat processing environment at the moment²⁸
- Near record high slaughter cattle prices²⁸
- Intense export market competition²⁸
  - particularly Brazil²⁸
- Processors have taken heavy losses in the last 12 months²⁸
  - A QLD processor was reporting losses of $200 per head on heavy grass-fed steers²⁸
Facility currently employed 150 permanent and 70 casual staff²⁸
- All employees will be paid full entitlements²⁸
All outstanding financial obligations will be met²⁸
Plant will not be sold²⁹
“We cannot continue to maintain a viable business in the current industry environment, particularly given the record high livestock prices and the inability of our customers to absorb these price increases” Manildra Meat General Manager Jason Graham²⁹
“Abattoir operations can be a volatile industry especially when cattle prices are at the level they are at now. My thoughts are with the individuals and families as they go through this tough time” Member for Cootamundra. Katrina Hodgkinson³⁰
Cootamundra township has a current population of 7,500 people³²
- Loss of 220 jobs in that size of a town has a huge impact³²
- Some staff have applied and obtained work at other meat processing facilities such as Wagga Wagga #291 NSW, Gundagai #106 NSW and Young #128 NSW. ³³
- Some staff have also been accepted to work at the Junee Correctional centre³³
Roger Fletcher, Owner of abattoirs at Dubbo.2 #2309 NSW and Narrikup in WA comments on the current trading conditions of processing lamb and sheep at the moment and that it is a tough industry³²
- “I do the numbers and it’s unsustainable where we’re at”. Roger Fletcher³²
- “It’s a bit like if there are six hotels in a town and there’s only enough room for five drinkers, one’s got to close. And there will be more close.” Roger Fletcher³²
April. JBS Australia announce they will temporarily close two of its southern lamb processing plant due to current livestock supply and price conditions³¹.
- Cobram #397 Vic.
- Longford #195 Tas.
Other facilities that have also stopped production or reduced throughput recently are³¹
- Deniliquin #2123 NSW
- Esperance #1459 WA
- Gunbower # Vic
- Tamworth 1. #394 NSW
Some plants are currently operating on loss-making skeleton 3 day weekly kills³¹
Recent spate of abattoir closures raises questions in regards to over capacity of the processing sector with oversupply of stock due to drought³¹
Has been high levels of foreign investment interest in investments directed into processing³¹

Sources Cootamundra #87

‘5,000 jobs at risk: Abattoirs facing closure’ Sydney Morning Herald 21.05.1996
‘Productivity: Cootamundra’s robotic carcase cutter wins innovation award’ Beef Central 04.06.2012
http://www.beefcentral.com/processing/cootamundra-plant-blazes-trail-in-carbon-mitigation-projects/
http:’Manildra secures Cootamundra beef, lamb abattoir, despite Chinese competition’ Beef Central 27.06.2014
http://www.theland.com.au/news/agriculture/general/news/meat-from-coota-to-the-world/2704030.aspx
AUS-MEAT accreditation list 01.01.2014
AUS-MEAT accreditation list 1987
MSA Licensed Plants Meat and Livestock Australia 27.08.2013
‘Woolworths not to blame for product recall: GM Scott’ ABC News 07.06.2008
‘Woolies recalls lamb products’ ABC News 07.06.2008
‘Meatworks manager leaves in wake of Woolies lamb recall’ www.austfoodnews.com.au 11.06.2008
‘Loss of noble man’ http://www.cootamundraherald.com.au 05.12.2012
‘Abattoir purchase official’ Cootamundra Herald 27.06.2014
‘Blayney neighbours unhappy with plans for goat abattoir’ Western Advocate 26.09.2014
‘Farmers look to a second Cootamundra abattoir’ Foodmagazine 08.09.2014
‘Second abattoir proposal gains momentum’ Cootamundra Herald 21.11.2014
‘Manildra Group’s meaty move’ Stock and Land 13.12.2014
‘Animal Welfare awareness at the abattoir’ Cootamundra Herald 26/03/2015
‘Manildra remains committed to town’ Cootamundra Herald 11.06.2015
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‘Train nearly derailed as dam bursts’ Cootamundra Herald 06.10.2016
‘End of an era for Cootamundra abattoir’ Cootamundra Abattoir 26.10.2016
Manildra Meat website
‘Competitive process results in end of Cootamundra contract’ Cootamundra Herald 27.10.2016
‘Vote of confidence for local farm’ Cootamundra Herald 28.10.2016
‘Manildra director pays tribute to former CEO’ Cootamundra Herald 01.11.2016
‘Spreading risk at Cootamundra’ Cootamundra Herald 15.11.2016
‘Cootamundra plant closure could flag more widespread processor shut-downs’ Beef Central 17.02.2017
‘150 permanent and 70 casual staff out of a job’ Cootamundra Herald 17.02.2017
‘Member for Cootamundra, Katrina Hodgkinson saddened by decision’ Cootamundra Herald 17.02.2017
‘Indefinite closures for JBS lamb plants, as supply challenge reaches critical point’ Beef Central 20.04.2017
‘Shortage of lambs for slaughter pushing up prices, forcing abattoir closures’ ABC Rural 24.02.2017
‘Meatworkers consider their fate after abattoir shuts down’ Cootamundra Herald 24.02.2017
‘World on a plate, A history of meat processing in Australia’ Stephen Martyn. 2012
Aus-Meat Accreditation Listing 1987
Aus-Meat Accreditation Listing November 1997
Aus-Meat Accreditation Listing March 2000
Aus-Meat Accreditation Listing July 2008
Aus-Meat Accreditation Listing July 2009
Aus-Meat Accreditation Listing March 2010
Aus-Meat Accreditation Listing January 2013
Aus-Meat Accreditation Listing October 2014

Harden

Australian Abattoirs, Harden, New South Wales, Sheep processing abattoir 21/05/2014 Leave a comment

Built in the 1970’s by council, Southern meats purchased and ran with US consortium. US sheepmeat import tariffs caused short closures but lack of supply of animals due to extended drought caused final closure in 2006.

Other Names

None known.

Current Operation

Closed 2006⁵

Location

Harden is located in south west NSW, 30km south of Young

Hema Maps – Australia Truckies atlas.

Owner

General Manager – Glen Crebs (American)¹
Southern Meats – Manager Neville Newton²
- owned Harden with an American consortium³
- Southern meats also own Goulburn abattoir (NSW)

Other abattoirs in Australia

Go to this link to view Location of Australian Abattoirs

abattoirs_edited-1

Operation

Sole purpose was to process lambs for the American market¹
- Primarily for the North American market⁷
Boning room is purpose built for further processing of customer orders.⁷
Skins collected are processed at Goulburn to drum salt stage⁷
Employs 150 people²
Brands – Fine Brand, Country Meadow, Southern Cross.⁷

History

1970’s

Plant was built by the local council³

1980

facility sold to private business³

1987

November. Harden facility is listed as a Domestic meat processing site¹⁰.
- Operated as Harden Slaughterhouse¹⁰

1995

Glen Crebs came to site when smaller abattoir existed, joint venture of operation was created.¹

1998

opened as joint venture with Superior Farms USA.¹
facility was refurbished in the late 1990’s³
Converted to an export-only meatworks supplying high quality lamb to overseas markets³

1999

USA considering placing tarriff on Australian and New Zealand lamb in response to calls from the struggling Americal lamb industry¹
- USA trade is worth more than $100M each year¹
10,000 lambs slaughtered at Harden each week,¹
- all cut to suit USA market demand¹
  - racks, not chops¹
  - sold as ‘Country Meadow Austral American Brand’¹
June. If increased tarriffs are implemented by USA it would be worst-case scenerio for Harden¹
Note of a recent event that occured in the region; the loss of jobs at Harden abattoir affecting lamb producers following the US lamb tariff decision⁴

2001

Southern Meats Pty Ltd – figures for year ending December 2002⁶, Harden and Goulburn abattoir (NSW)
- Ranked 10th in Top 25 Australian beef and Sheepmeat processors for 2001⁶
- Throughput 65,000 ETCW (estimated tonnes carcase weight)⁶
- Turnover $225M⁶

2002

Southern Meats Pty Ltd – figures for year ending December 2002⁶, Harden and Goulburn abattoir (NSW) combined.
- Ranked 12th in Top 25 Australian beef and Sheepmeat processors for 2002⁶
- Throughput 49,000 ETCW (estimated tonnes carcase weight)⁶
- Kill share 1.8%⁶
- Turnover $206M⁶
- Total staff 700⁶

2003

Plant forced to shut down for 3 months as stock numbers dwindled.³
- Closed due to supply shortage during the drought.⁹

Southern Meats Pty Ltd – figures for year ending December 2003⁷, Harden and Goulburn abattoir (NSW) combined.
- Ranked 14th in Top 25 Australian beef and Sheepmeat processors for 2002⁷
- Throughput 46,675 ETCW (estimated tonnes carcase weight)⁷
- Turnover $180M⁷

2004

Now owned by Southern Meats Goulburn²
- with an American consortium³
- Authors note – some articles show Southern meats owned the plant prior to 2004, I’m not sure if 2004 is just when the American consortium joined.
June. Plant staff had been stood down²
- 120 full time staff.²
Last 18 months meatworks in Woy Woy, Mudgee abattoir (NSW), Orange, Forbes abattoir (NSW) have all closed, loss of close to 500 jobs.³
July. closed, possibly for the next 2 years.²
- Situation hasn’t been good for 2-3 last years²
- expected to stay closed at least for 12 months and possibly longer³
  - effects of the worst drought on record continue to be felt in the region³
  - “Until the drought breaks there is a lot of uncertainty all through the bush. The company really had no option but to close down” Harden Mayor, Chris Manchester³
Major problem facing industry was lack of growth in Australian sheep flock²
- skyrocketing cost of lambs in recent years²
- Breaking even on selling lambs at $100 but paying $150.²
- Lamb prices in general were higher than what the US can pay²

Southern Meats Pty Ltd – figures for year ending December 2004⁷, Harden and Goulburn abattoir (NSW) combined.
- Ranked 10th in Top 25 Australian beef and Sheepmeat processors for 2004⁷
- Throughput 55,000 ETCW (estimated tonnes carcase weight)⁷
- Kill share 2.6%⁷
- Turnover $185M⁷
- Total staff 480⁷
- Productio split 95% export, 5% domestic⁷
- Species split 75% sheep, 25% lamb⁷

2005

August. Abattoir wil re-open as lamb numbers increase across the region.⁹

2006

September. Operated for early part of 2006 before being shut permanently and broken up.⁸
Abattoir closed⁵
- 130 jobs lost⁵
Boning and packing facilities continued to be leased to others who processed stock¹¹

2008

Local producers start Argyle Meat business¹¹.
- Lachlan and Andrina Graham¹¹
  - Integrated supply chain meat business that leased the boning and packing facilities¹¹.

2014

July. Argyle Meats who had been leasing the boning and packing facilities at this time move their operation to the former dairy factory at Nowra¹¹
- Nowra facility was more high-tech¹¹

Sources

‘Unkindest cut for small town abattoir’ Sydney Morning Herald 14.06.1999
‘Harden abattoir closes; Goulburns future uncertain’ Goulburn Post 11.07.2004
‘Abattoir cuts 150 jobs’ AMIEU Archives. 05.07.2004
Regional radio inquiry submission – Federation of Australian radio broadcasters limited. November 2000.
‘Positive outlook for Harden in 2014’ Harden Murrumburrah Express 13.12.2013
Feedback’s Top 25 beef and sheepmeat processors for 2002.
Feedback’s Top 25 red meat processors for 2004
Feedback’s Top 25 red meat processors for 2006.
‘Harden abattoir reopens boosting local economy’ NSW ABC country hour. 17.06.2005
List. Nov 1987.
‘Manildra Group’s meaty move’ http://www.farmonline.com.au

Queensland abattoirs listed – regions

Australian Abattoirs, Ayr, Beef processing abattoir, Beenleigh, Biboohra, Biloela, Bowen, Cairns, Camooweal, Cannon Vale, Cape River, Casino, Central QLD, Charleville, Clermont, Cloncurry #1, Cloncurry #2 (Proposed), Dinmore, Giru, Halal export accredited, Innisfail, Kilcoy, Mt Isa, Northern QLD, Pentland, Queensland, Queensland abattoirs - regions, Ross River, Sheep processing abattoir, Southern QLD, Surat, Tolga, Townsville, Tully 22/03/2014 Leave a comment

North Queensland

Ayr abattoir (QLD)

Small processor located 90km south of Townsville, currently in operation

Biboohra abattoir (QLD)

Historical abattoir closed in 1927, Also known as Baron works, located near Mareeba.

Owned by MJ Munro, operated as a slaughterhouse in the early days and then a cannery.

Bowen abattoir (QLD)

Located 230km south of Townsville on the QLD coast.Was in operation at 1919, went through fires, labour disputes and temporary closures. Purchased by AMH, the final owners and permanently closed in 1997.

Cairns abattoir (QLD)

Cairns (more commonly known as Queerah meatworks) was located in far north QLD received cattle from mainly north Australia, often by Barge from the NT and Normanton that had travelled from the gulf of Carpentaria in the 1960’s to 1975. Began to export in 1950’s closed in 1989 as part of the AMH rationalisation strategy of its abattoir capacity through the 1980’s.

Camooweal abattoir (QLD)

Located 190km northwest of Mt Isa, small processor currently operating that supplies own butchery for retail.

Canon Vale (QLD)

A small local processor currently in operation, located 70 km south of Bowen between Townsville and Mackay.

Cape River abattoir (QLD)

Located south west of Townsville. Closed in 1986 due to the AMH rationalisation strategy of its abattoirs capacity through the 1980’s.

Pentland abattoir (QLD)

Built prior to WWII, At one stage was the 2^nd largest meatworks in Queensland. Last owned by AMH consortium, closed in 1989

Ross River abattoir (QLD)

Built in 1882, QLD meat export agency formed supplied contracts for supply of product to England. Plagued by industrial action its whole operating life most notably in 19919 when a violent clash between the unions and police occurred. Been through ownership receiver, beef price crash, strikes, droughts and market changes. Smorgons meat processors, last owner collapses in 1994, facility closed in 1995. Site now developed as a residential site with only the chimney still remaining as a historic site.

Tolga abattoir (QLD)

Small processor currently operating near Cairns

Townsville – Stuart

Owned by JBS. Large beef processor located in far north QLD

Tully abattoir (QLD)

Small processor currently operating between Cairns and Townsville

Weipa abattoir (QLD)

Small local processor

Central Queensland

Charleville abattoir – goat processor (Central QLD)

A goat processing facility that is currently operating located in central QLD. This facility exports all its production. Has had past problems of securing visa workers to ensure ability to process production. Floods have affected operations and government costs while plant has been closed at different periods.

Clermont abattoir (QLD)

Small local processor

Cloncurry #1 abattoir (QLD)

Small local processor currently operating

Cloncurry #2, proposed abattoir (QLD)

Proposal sponsored by DAFF 2012. Consider establishment of an abattoir at Cloncurry to process cattle from north west QLD and NT. Based on processing 100,000 heavy cattle per year, costing $49M to build not including land or government services. Marginal return expected on investment.

El Arish abattoir (QLD)

Located near Innisfail, a small processor that is currently operating.

Giru abattoir (QLD)

Domestic abattoir currently operating south of Townsville

Innisfail abattoir (QLD)

Owned by CMG then Teys, Hit by cyclone Larry in 2006, never to be reopened, equipment scrapped and auctioned off in 2011.

Mt Isa abattoir (QLD)

Built in the war years and closed in 1986

Southern Queensland

Beenleigh abattoir (QLD)

Large facility owned by Teys, currently in operation located south of Brisbane.Recently had a number of wage disputes. Invests heavily in new technology to optimise labour efficencies, currently operating 2 shifts processing 1,300 cattle per day

Caboolture abattoir (QLD)

Located in Queensland, one of only 2 abattoirs in Australia accredited for export of horse meat.

Dinmore abattoir (QLD)

The largest meat processing plant in Australia, currently operating and owned by JBS Australia. Located near Brisbane QLD.

Kilcoy abattoir (QLD)

Located northwest of Brisbane and primarily processes grainfed cattle. 4^th largest abattoir in Australia, currently operating.

Oakey abattoir (QLD)

Located near Toowoomba, a large processing facility of mainly grain-fed beef, owned by Nippon. Currently processing up to 1300 animals per day. Has undergone significant upgrades to enable traceability for organic certification and assurances, with current work being carried out on methane gas collection. Problems in the past have been market fluctuations, unions and costs of production

Surat abattoir – Kangaroo processor (QLD)

Games meat abattoir located south of Roma. Processes Kangaroo. Started in mid 1980’s, possibly now closed due to floods, debt and costs of services to operate.

Cygnet

Australian Abattoirs, Beef processing abattoir, Cygnet, Goat processor, Sheep processing abattoir, Small species abattoir, Tasmania 04/01/2014 Leave a comment

Other Names

Cradoc Hill
Cradoc Blue Hill abattoir

Current Operation

Currently operating at time of writing 03.01.2014

Location

Cradoc Hill is located approximately 10km north west of Cygnet. Cygnet is located approximately 70km by road south west of Hobart in southern Tasmania

Hema Maps – Australia Truckies atlas.

Owner

Dave, Rita Stephens and Michael Munnings⁸
James Lord (2011)¹

Operation

Cygnet is only major abattoir south of Cressy abattoir (Tas) in the northern Midlands.⁴
A small service kill abattoir for the use of local producers who may only have one or low number of animals to process.³
Some product is now commercially being sold to retailers under brand names⁷
Producers may retain ownership of product and use for their own purposes or value add and further sell to retail.⁷
Process large animals cattle⁷
Process small animals calves, sheep, lambs, deer, rabbits, poultry and pigs.²

History

2009

Cygnet is featured in the ‘Gourmet Farmer’ SBS series with local producer Mathew Evans³

In reference to Cygnet abattoir and taking two of his pigs to be slaughtered there³

” ..is run by people who want to help smallholders. Who understand you may only have one sheep, one pig to kill at at time. They make it easier for people who want to rear their own meat, to get it killed legally and affordably. If there’s one thing I’m happy about with the death of my pigs, it’s that the abattoir at Cradoc hill will do the right thing by them” Mathew Evans³

2011

June. Dave and Rita Stephens had operated the abattoir for a number of years and wished to retire.¹
- Possible a consortium of interested parties may pool resources to buy the freehold and operate the business¹
Loss of this abattoir to the community would have been a severe blow to the local producers small and large.²
- Important to know the animals are free-range and killed humanely with many producers following their animal through process of delivery to final product of meat cuts.²
- some producers larger animals sheep and cattle while others have pigs, goats, rabbits.²
- Some are niche market meats and by-products²
- Economies of the dairy and fleece buisinesses would be marginal or impossible without access to an abattoir, local market for vealers and wethers²
- Producers would be forced to send stock to northern processing works – some over 4 hours drive from Cygnet³
- Products also sourced for bone, pig ears for pets, blood and bone for gardens, organs for university and forensic research²
July. Abattoir closes for two weeks when new buyer moves in.²
James Lord purchases Cygnet facility²

2013

Development of two meat brand logos⁷
- Blue Logos – Cradoc Hill meat – targets premium interstate markets⁷

Source – Cradoc Hill website – Logo used to promote products to Interstate markets.

Source – Cradoc Hill website – Example of meat cuts offered in a box sale being offered direct to door of customers through website sales.

Source – Cradoc Hill website – Example of meat cuts offered in a box sale

Green Logo- Huon Valley meats – targets the Hobart market and surrounds.⁷

Source – Huon Valley Meats website – Logo used to promote products local markets.

“We source our produce from farmers we know and trust, We are particular in who we work with, seeking out growers who genuinely enjoy raising their stock and who take pride in growing the highest quality produce” James Lord

Cygnet now processing 20-30 cattle, 100 lambs and 20-30 pigs a week.⁷
- employs 8 people, 4 permanent and 4 casual⁷

Sources

http://www.theviewfrommyporch.blogspot.com.au
‘Save Cradoc Hill Abattoir’ Tasmanian Times 14.06.2011
‘Killing the pigs’ Gourmet Farmer. SBS. 18.12.2009
‘James meats his destiny’ The Mercury. 29.07.2011
Huon Valley Meats website
Cradoc Hill website
‘Huon meat goes for fine dining’ The Mercury. 20.12.2013
http://www.buffaloaustralia.org

Devonport

Australian Abattoirs, Beef processing abattoir, Devonport, Sheep processing abattoir, Tasmania 29/12/2013 Leave a comment

Devonport abattoir, located in Tasmania and owned by JBS, a multi species abattoir with a checkered past.

Other Names

North West Rendering⁸
Devonport City abattoir.

Current Operation

Aus Meat Accreditation registration dated 29/12/2015 #13T – JBS Australia Pty Ltd (Devonport).¹⁸
- registered as a Beef, Sheep and Pig, Domestic facility.¹⁶
Direct employment enquiries to www.jbssa.com.au

Location

Devonport is located approximately midway on the Northern coast of Tasmania

Hema Maps – Australia Truckies atlas.

Owner

North West Rendering and Devonport City abattoir (1980)⁸
- Co-owner Dale Grey⁸
- Co-owner – John Brown⁹
Tasman Group (2005)⁹
JBS (2008)¹
Abattoirs owned by JBS in Tasmania
- Devonport abattoir (Tas) (2008) – another multi species abattoir.
- Longford (Tas)
- King Island abattoir (Tas) (2008) – closed in 2012.
Abattoirs owned by JBS Queensland.
- Townsville (QLD)
- Rockhampton (QLD)
- Dinmore abattoir (QLD)
- Riverview (QLD)
- Toowoomba (QLD) – more commonly known as Beef City
Abattoirs owned by JBS in Victoria
- Brooklyn (Vic)
- Cobram (Vic)
Abattoirs owned by JBS in New South Wales
- Yanco (NSW)
- Scone abattoir (NSW)
Abattoirs owned by JBS in South Australia
- Bordertown (SA)

Operation

Multi species abattoir located ajacent to Devonport saleyards¹
- Processes beef, sheep and pork¹
- Capacity 150 beef daily and 1,200 Smallstock daily (Lamb, mutton, Veal and Pork)¹
Employs 150 people¹

History

1977

Devonport rendering plant had been in operation⁶
- Note – some conflict of when abattoir operations began, not sure if 1977 was a previous owner prior to Devonport City abattoir acquisition.

1980

Meatworks operation began⁹

1995

August. Employee Ian Sutton sacked by abattoir for mistreatment of sheep, Industrial relations hearing of Ian Sutton was supported by AMIEU for unfair dismissal – court dismissed and sacking held.¹⁰

1997

Expanded rendering works.⁵

2000

October. Quoiba Progress Association Ltd v North West Rendering Pty Ltd. – Resource Management and Planning appeal tribunal found that the rendering works had caused material harm in breach of section 52 of the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act.⁵
- Facility was to cease operating unless after 12 months it could reduce emissions of odour by 2 odour units.⁵
- NWR given 18 months to fix odour problems⁷

2001

Rendering works was the only facility in Tasmania taking external meat waste from around the state to⁵

2002

March. Contested hearing conducted – regarding Rendering works – to consider if had complied with tribunal orders⁵
- residents still experiencing odour problems⁷
- Works operators and Director of Environmental management submitted to hearing that rendering works had “substantially complied”⁵
- Quoiba Progress association disputed claim.⁵
- Tribunal found rendering works hadn’t complied – effectively ruling that after 27 April 2002 operation of the rendering works at the current premises in Quoiba was unlawful⁵
- Given 12 months to relocate⁷
- NWR commenced supreme court action challenging original decision⁵
  - Judge ruled testing regime for acceptable odour emissions as set out in original orders was too unclear⁷
  - Matter set back to original tribunal panel to decide if any fresh orders should be made.⁷
June. Smithton abattoir (Tas) retrenches 21 workers.¹¹
- Blue Ribbon (owners of Smithton) insolvent and collapse.¹²
Devonport says it is doing well but calls for inquiry into the state meat industry¹¹
September. Agreement reached for new site for rendering plant⁸
- Previous negotiations had considered operating hours and ungrades.⁸
  - Planning & Appeals tribunal decreed odour still unacceptable.⁸
- NRW have agreed with Websters to purchase 65ac near Parramatta creek.⁸
- Cost of $3M⁸

2003

August. Installed $125,000 bio-oxygen odour control generator at the rendering plant⁶
- Local residents had complained of smells since 1977⁶
Abattoir had considered relocated but was unable to find suitable land in the last 12 months⁶
Would have to sack 200 people if business was closed⁶
September. Resource Management and Planning Tribunal would rule on decision to allow plant to operate or close it down⁶

2004

Devonport City abattoir had owned Wignalls – sold to Tasma smallgoods in Hobart.
- focus on contract killings at Devonport (Quoiba) site

2005

July.Tasman Group purchase Devonport facilities.⁹
Resource Management and Planning tribunal hearing⁷
- North West Rendering Pty Ltd (NWR) confirmed that the rendering plant and land had been sold and the company was no longer involved with the operation of the plant – to Tasman Group Services (JBS)⁷
- NWR changed name to Brown and Grey No2 Pty Ltd.⁵
- Quoiba progress Association to work with new owners to address odour problems.⁷
- Tribunal was unable to make any orders in relation to ongoing plant operations⁷

2006

Tasman Group Chairman – Giuseppe Catalfamo brided Cole’s head of supermarket merchadising Peter Scott (Coles fired Scott in 2007).¹³
- Scott had acquired million dollar bayside apartment from Catalfamo¹³
- Considered a breach of retailers code of conduct – Tasman group main supplier of beef in Victoria and Tasmania¹³
- Catalfamo been caught bribing and meat substitution in past – horse-meat substitution scandel that threatened Australia’s export industry 20 years ago, fined and banned from exporting to the USA for 10 years.¹³
Devonport abattoir provides Woolworths with fresh sausages for 29 Tasmanian stores¹³
Tasman Group – report ending 2005¹³
- sales had increased 30% but profit halved to $6.3M¹³
- Company borrowings total nearly $62M¹³
  - Main creditors – National Australia Bank, ANZ and Japanese meat company Hannan Corporation¹³

2008

JBS purchased as part of Tasman group when entered Australia with acquitsition of AMH³

Tasman Group consists of abattoirs in Tasmania – Longford, Devonport and King Island¹⁴
- Tasman group 3 abattoirs in Tasmania including King Island and 3 in Victoria.¹⁴
- JBS paid $US150M¹⁴
JBS also purchased Smithfield Group $US565M¹⁴
- Has four abattoirs¹⁴
JB also purchase National Beef $US560M¹⁴
- Has three abattoirs¹⁴
- 2 meat processing facilities¹⁴

2011

JBS elect to combine it’s US and Australian beef processing results into a common finanical report presented at ‘US beef’.²²
Impossible to distinguish Australia’s performance and contribution to the overall result.²²

2012

JBS Australia split into two operating entities to make Northern and Southern regions in relation to abattoirs and feedlots within those areas¹⁵.
- South – Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania¹⁵
- North – NSW and QLD.¹⁵

2013

Closure of King Island abattoir (Tas) assisted the supply of cattle to Longford.
JBS “Company is still pleased with its decision to close (King Island)” John Berry. JBS director²
- Islands King Island and Flinders supply 200-450 head cattle a week, higher in spring run.³
- Longford process 450 cattle a day – 4 day week roster.³
King Island cattle supply receives freight subsidy – sliding scale – $26 into Stanley in proximity to Smithton abattoir (Tas), $30 into Devonport⁴.Where cattle can be sent to Devonport or Longford abattoir (Tas)
- Scale acts as disincentive to increase freight efficency.⁴
September. JBS launch brand launch.²⁰

Great Southern Logo. Source Beef Central 27.09.2013

Great Southern grassfed beef and lamb.²⁰
- Products first of their type in Australia.²⁰
- third party audited program JAS/ANZ ISO.²⁰
- 65 accredited farm quality assurance programs backing the brand.²⁰
- huge demand in domestic and global customers for traceable fresh grassfed meat.²⁰
  - supplied by best practice producers with better livestock genetics.²⁰
  - MSA graded for eating quality.²⁰
  - Farmers would receive premium prices.²⁰
    - 10c/kg premium applied to grid for UK.²⁰
    - 650 farmers through NSW, Vic & Tasmania accredited to supply the program.²⁰
    - Audit costs (for farmers) are paid by JBS.²⁰
      - Audits conducted by AsureQuality.²⁰
    - Animals are consigned driect to JBS.²⁰
    - forward pricing.²⁰
    - Animals consigned through saleyards would not be eligible.²⁰
“Today the margins are so tight that if you want a point of difference and that premium or no discount, you have got to be involved with quality assurance” Jeremy Upton, Producer.²⁰
November. JBS Swift Australia install closed-circuit television camera’s (CCTV) in it’s Australian meatworks.²¹
- For the purpose of animal welfare and meatworker safety issues.²¹
- CCTV for internal use by only JBS, with no plans to allow outsiders to view the footage.²¹
JBS’s US beef division (which includes Australia) delivered drop in net sales and earnings in it’s third quarter financial results.²²
- Australia’s division performance and overall contribution to the overall result is impossible to distinguish due to inclusion with US and Canadian beef processing results.²²
- Earnings before tax $134M,.²²
  - Down by 22.5% on previous quarter.²²
  - Down by 28.4% on third quarter last year.²²
- result reflection of domestic North American markets.²²
  - Improved performance had occured in Australian.²²
    - Demand had increased in Chinese markets.²²

2014

April. Devonport currently employ 150 people.¹⁹
July. JBS Australia across all facilities in operation kills daily.¹⁵
- 8,500 cattle,¹⁵
- 24,000 smalls – which includes lambs¹⁵
- Employs more than 8,000 people¹⁵

December.
- JBS currently operate 12 meat processing plants across 5 Australian states¹⁶
  - Wages & local procurement $730M (Excluding livestock purchases)¹⁶
  - Employs 8,500 people at the facilities¹⁶
    - Employs 12,000 people in Australia¹⁶
  - Total revenue of $6.5B¹⁶
JBS processing plants in Australia

Source JBS submission #50 Market Consolidation.
- JBS estimates its current share of four eastern states beef kill – 20% (excludes service kill)¹⁶
  - JBS share of Australian beef production 16%¹⁶
  - Market share of national small (lamb, mutton & goat) 16%
- JBS spent $2.4M on halal certification costs of approved religious certifiers in 2014¹⁶
2015
- June. Cost of processing in Australia 1.5-3 times the cost of processing animals in another country¹⁶
- cost of processing grain-fed cattle in Australia is twice of the USA¹⁶
  - lower levels of productivity in Australia in regards to kg per unit of labour¹⁶
  - 2 major differences between Australia and the USA⁸
    1. Government regulation
      - $10 a head more in Australia¹⁶
      - Dept. of Australian Agriculture fully recover costs of meat export inspection and certification¹⁶
        
        Australia wide DAFF costs $80M¹⁶
        
        JBS contribute $14.5M¹⁶
      - Export plants don’t use DAFF but use approved employees, which plants fully cover costs¹⁶
        
        JBS estimate an additional $30M at Export level¹⁶
      - USA & Brazil governments provide services at no or minimal costs to processors¹⁶
    2. Energy Costs
      - $15 a head more in Australia¹⁶
  - Technical barriers to trade (TBT’s)- Total value in Australia estimated at $1.25B as identified costs¹⁶
    - 261 TBT’s in 40 key markets¹⁶
      - 136 have significant trade distortion impacts¹⁶
December. ATO publishes tax data for agribusiness corporates.¹⁷
- Data interpretation – Companies do not pay company tax on revenue (total income) they pay on profits after paying all expenses, including wages, capital replacement, supplier costs and other operating expenses.¹⁷
- Income tax information is for 2013/14.¹⁷
- JBS Holdco Australia Pty Ltd produced Total Income $4,040,948,610.¹⁷
  - Taxable Income $419,882,525.¹⁷
    - Tax Payable $44,809,334.¹⁷

Sources Devonport Tas. JBS

http://www.jbsswift.com.au
‘Abattoir closure continues to bite’ ABC News 14.09.13.
‘Expansion plans ahead for JBS Longford – One of Australia’s most versatile meat plants’ Beef Central 18.10.13.
‘King Island freight subsidy fight’ ABC rural. 17.09.2013
Environmental Defenders Office (Tas) inc. Bulletin Dec 2002.
‘Hope for NW abattoir jobs as stink fades’ Examiner 04.09.2003.
Journal – ‘Impact’ – #79 Sept 2005.
‘NW rendering plant to Move’ ABC rural 04.09.2002
‘Devonport abattoir sold’ ABC rural 15.07.2005
AMIEU v Devonport City Abattoir T5776 of 1995
‘Devonport City abattoir doing well’ ABC rural. 26.06.2002
‘Australia: Smithton abattoir to reopen tomorrow’ Just foods. 04.03.2002
‘Woolies sticks by kickback butcher’ SMH. 15.01.2007
‘Big Beef producer cuts deal with Tasman Group’ The Age. 06.03.2008
‘The next Swift Shift’ The Weekly Times. 30.07.2014
sub50_JBS Inquiry into the effect of market consolidation on the red meat processing sector
‘ATO publishes tax data for agribusiness corporates’ Beef Central 18.12.2015
AUS-MEAT Accreditation Listing 29.12.2015
‘JBS expands its books’ Stock & Land 24.04.2014
‘JBS unveils new QA driven southern grassfed brand program’ Beef Central 27.09.2013
‘Swift CCTV camera action’ Weekly Times 13.11.2013
‘JBS delivers lower third quarter beef sales, revenue’ Beef Central 14.11.2013

Cressy. #19. Tas.

Australian Abattoirs, Beef processing abattoir, Cressy, Halal export accredited, Sheep processing abattoir, Tasmania 28/12/2013 Leave a comment

Cressy abattoir is better known as TQM. Located in Tasmania and processing sheep and lambs for export markets.

Other Names

Tasmanian Quality Meats

Current Operation

Currently operating at time of writing December 2013.

Location

Cressy is located on the Mainland of Tasmania approximately 50km south of Launceston

Hema Maps – Australia Truckies atlas.

Owner

Tasmanian Quality Meats (TQM)¹
- Co-Owners – Brian Oliver & John Talbot⁴
- Managing director – Brian Oliver¹

Operation

Processes and send lambs to export³

Source ABC Rural ‘ Stopping Sheep disease..” 16.09.2013

Skins salted and sold³

Source – Agricultural studies school visit abattoir. – Salted skins being packed.

non-meat body parts processed into fertiliser³
Employs 70 people³

Other abattoirs in Australia

Go to this link to view Location of Australian Abattoirs

History of Cressy #19.

1997

Established business²
- Plant previously used to process small numbers of wallbies and venison⁴
Cressy processed 100-120 smallstock a day⁶
- 12 staff⁶
- battled with this processing level for 3 years as stabilised business⁶
- Selling into the domestic market

2001

Blue Ribbon Smithton abattoir (Tas) – Tasmania’s largest processor went into receivership⁶
Coles asked Cressy to process and distribute beef, sheep and pork to its Tasmanian stores⁶
Cressy leased and operated Smithton site processing 500 units a day and 52 staff.⁶
- as production increased so did costs⁶
Cressy developed new beef processing floor, beef chiller and larger smallstock chiller⁶

2003

Built meat processing floor providing a service kill for veal and lamb for butchers and wholesalers throughout Tasmania and mainland Australia

2004

Expansion of facilities at Cressy should be finished by April – allow for processor to explore new export market opportunities.¹

2010

Tasmania required a small stock export plant
Cressy start work on a new state-of-the-art processing floor

2011

January. Processing 4,000 units per week⁶
August. Cressy abattoir achieved export certification⁵
September.Processing floor developed in 2010 commissioned – achieving Tier 1 Export registration

2012

January. Processing 5,500 units per week⁶
Since export accreditation sent 86,000 lambs to Middle east and killed 75,000 for domestic market.⁵
- Once Halal slaughter introduced stopped production of pigs immediately on religious grounds⁶
May. Ceased beef kill operations – only killing 50 head a week and return was unviable⁶
Further expansion of slaughter line occured⁶
October. Cressy announce significant expansion at their meatworks²
- grant $250,000- Tasmanian Government Innovation and Investment Fund²
  - total cost is $538,000 TQM invest $288,000²
  - One of five companies to receive grant⁵
- Convert old beef floor into 500 unit lamb/mutton chiller²
- Need for greater chiller space due to market availabilty fluctuations of supply⁵
- Lift processing to 10,000 lambs a week⁵
- Focus is to build export markets for local product²
- Since establishment has undergone 4 major upgrades²
- currently employing 17 FTE, 41 casuals.²
- 12-15 new full time and part time jobs will be created with expansion²
- allow TQM to ship direct to markets on Australian mainland and key overseas export markets²
  - switch to exports incurred additional costs due to shipping.⁴
  - Shipping to Melbourne can be as costly as sending produce on from Melbourne to Southeast Asia⁴
Productivity increase – by 25% to 2000 units a day²
- decreasing fixed costs and improving efficencies²

2013

January. Processing 9,000 units per week⁶
- processing all of Tasmania’s bobby calf production⁶
- 1,000 lambs processed and shipped to Brisbane under Royal Reserve brand⁶
Source – ABC Rural ‘Stopping sheep…’ 16.09.2013
Tasmania had good competition and processing for beef but large portion of sheep and lamb was being shipped live to Victoria for processing⁶
Tier 1 Export Licenced audited by AQIS⁶
- restricted export opportunities to 22 countires⁶
- 2nd Tier requires outsourcing to Victorian abattoir to meet freezing, packing and cutting requirements of markets⁶
  - double handling and extra costs
  - When sent then has Victorian stamp when its actually Tasmanian product⁶
  - Plans to build blast freezer with extra boning and cutting room renovations to aim for Tier 2 application.⁶
Pre stuns sheep prior to slaughter⁴
Cressy is Halal accredited – Customers Dubai, Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait and Vietnam⁴
- also sending to Qatar⁵
Currently processing 2,000 animals a day⁴
Local market is shrinking due to undercutting by giant supermarkets⁴
- Cressy weren’t competitive, their domestic market small and export opportunities limited⁴
- Changed focus direction, invested and innovated around the problems of high Australian dollar – now supplying halal meats in a growing number of international markets.⁴
- Cressy is tapping into growing markets and air-freighting product⁴
- preferable to exporting of live animals according to owners of abattoir⁴
  - Lamb killed at TQM Monday can be at Customer Middle East Wednesday.⁴
  - Tasmania is only state prohibiting use of HGP’s⁴
Employing 80 people⁴
Cressy recently named regional exporter of the year.⁴
September. Have an open door policy to suppliers to observe, learn and improve⁷
- Quality assurance manager – Chris Cocker – selected as a finalist for biosecurity Farmer of the year.⁷
- Animal health workshops to assist farmers to identify, educate, knowledge and combat diseases.⁷
- More than 120 producers have taken opportunity to see their own stock processed⁷
  - liver fluke, cheesy gland, sheep measles and Ovine Johnes disease⁷
  - Sarcocysts comes from cats and is a problem due to feral cats⁷
  - Producers wear cost of disease due to downgrades in carcase⁷
  - Cressy supply a feedback sheet to producers – giving percentagaes of diseases or what processor has found.⁷
  - Carcase costs $8-$10 per animal to process if it is condemned to meat meal, producer receives nothing.⁷
November. Tasmania Quality Meats – Announced as winner of Regional Exporter of the year category at 51st Australian Export Awards.⁸
- “The company’s change in direction to becoming a direct exporter is a major milestone, and is to be congratulated” Award Judges.⁸
- No direct export sales in 2011 financial year to $12M in export sales 2013⁸
- Last few years from 20 staff have now employed 75.⁸
- Produce certified Hala and HGP free chilled and frozen whole -carcase veal as well as 6-way boxed veal.⁸
- Products including frozen veal, mutton, lamb and offal processed in accordance with Halal requirements and sol as Halel in markets such as Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.⁸

Source:‘National Exporter award to Tasmania Quality Meats’ Beef Central 27.11.2013
Tasmania Quality meats Logo.

2017

This year has been very difficult due to¹⁰;
- high stock prices¹⁰
- Shortage of workers¹⁰
  - Had gained some workers from other abattoirs that have closed Flinders Is and Longford #195. Tas.¹⁰
Currently processing 1,700 livestock a day¹⁰
- Using 65-70 workers¹⁰.
Flinders Island facility moved some of its service kill process to Cressy¹⁰
Current Manager – Ralph Jak¹⁰
Cressy is currently operating service kill and own branded products¹⁰
- Diversification allows better adaptability to current market conditions¹⁰
  - Trade lamb products¹⁰
  - Mutton in 3 or 6 way cuts to the Middle East¹⁰

Sources

‘Cressy abattoir upgrade’ The Examiner 08.03.2004
‘Further investment in Tasmanian Livestock Industry’ 11.10.2012
Agricultural studies visit Tasmanian Quality Meats
Reuters Market Analyst – Clyde Russell 18.12.2013
‘Middle east demand spurs Tasmanian lamb abattoir upgrade’ ABC rural. 15.10.2012
‘What’s in store: Big steps in small stock’ Stock and Land. 22.04.2013
‘Stopping the spread of sheep diseases a winner’ ABC rural. 16.09.2013
‘National Exporter award to Tasmania Quality Meats’ Beef Central 27.11.2013
‘Tas Quality meats back on track after a tough year’ ABC rural. 18/12/2017. Audio

Warragul

Australian Abattoirs, Beef processing abattoir, Sheep processing abattoir, Victoria, Warragul 16/11/2013 Leave a comment

Other Names

Radford’s¹
R Radford and Sons abattoir³

Current Operation

Currently operating at 16.11.2013

Location

Warragul is approximately 120km south east of Melbourne.

Hema Maps – Australia Handy map – 9th edition

Owner

Radford’s¹
- Family-owned meat processing business³
- Managing director – Robert Radford¹

Operation

At 2011 processing 120,000 sheep and lambs and 80,000 cattle per year²
Operate 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year³
- 1,400 cattle and 2,500 lambs a week³
- Currently processing sheep and cattle but looking to process goats in the future⁵
  - Goat processing added after closure of Trafalgar (Giles) abattoir⁷
- Currently domestic processing 18-21kg carcases boutique markets⁵
- Process lamb for different domestic cultural and religious festivals⁵
  - lambs need to be very lean 116-18kg⁵
  - Italian community like 18-20kg⁵
  - Vietnamese and Chinese want very lean 20-22kg, no fat⁵
  - Warragul own a retail shop in Kyneton, this has added to tourist trade⁵
- Export markets
  - Middle east require a very lean carcase under 18kg⁵
    - cook meat slowly and too much fat congeals at top of pots⁵
  - Lamb and mutton exported both whole and 6-way cuts, fresh and frozen air freight⁵
- 15% production is certified organic⁵
  - 40-50% growth in organic meat processing in lst 3-5 years⁵
Animals sourced all over Victoria, In SA Mt Gambier and Naracoorte, In NSW as far as Gunnedah, at times also Tasmania.³

Source Hema maps – Australia Handy map 9th edition

Figure 1 – showing area from which Warragul abattoir source animals across South east Australia

Animal Welfare practices³
- animals are stunned with electric stunner, cattle knocked unconcious prior to slaughter³
- Stunning is audited and people are specifically trained for the stunning role³
- Primesafe -Victorian meat authority conduct regular audits at least 3-4 times a year³
- Audits are unannounced inspections³
  - “Focus on animal welfare is critical to the success of an abattoirs relationship to its suppliers and customers” Robert Radford, Manager⁵
  - There are sound business reasons to conduct rules of treatment and slaughter of animals.³
    - business can be closed instantly for breaches³
    - Plant invested heavily to allow animals to rest prior to slaughter³
    - Stock yards are covered in sawdust to soften footing. – then is reused as fertlizer³
    - stressed animals create poor quality meat cutting so better welfare is a better animal carcase produced³
      - stockyards are undercover and allow 750 cattle to be held.³
      - Animals allowed up to 48 hours rest before slaughter⁵
- Prediction of meat quality use³
  - PH level as indication³
  - hanging method of carcase is tender stretching and not hung from achilles³
- Resources used³
  - water was a major problem in the drought – using 100,000 litres per day,³
    - not connected to mains water and had no access to ground water³
    - developed a recycling of own effluent waste³
    - developed with help of governmentm cost $1.1M³
- Products
  - skins – are all sold as tenders to various markets and graded to their quality³
    - skins often to China – car seat covers, shoe lining, clothing⁵
  - Offal and other byproducts are value added, producing tallow and meat meal⁵
- Business
  - need to constantly look at Research and development to consider productivity, running costs and new technology to increase through-put³
  - Looking to enter Halal export markets⁵
  - Domestic Halal is common, enables offal byproducts to be sold for human consumption⁵
  - Only some victoria abattoirs allowed to do Kosher processing⁵
- Slaughter process
  - Last 20 years focus is meat processing and wholesalers⁵
  - After each kill – meat buyers mark up (rate) bodies at 5am each morning, looking at quality and matching to orders⁴
    - Average 120 bodies – 60 will get top money, 30 OK, 15 barely cover costs and 15 probably lose money due to bruising or cutting dark⁴
    - “You’ll get your money on 50% of the beef bodies, the next 20-30% you’ll make a bit on, and the rest you’ll go backwards by about $40 to $50 a body” Danny Hood – Meat Wholesaler⁴
    - Being a perishable item, aim is to have the kill sold and placed within 7 days⁴
    - Price spread across beef bodies of 100c/kg carcass weight⁴
    - Domestic to wholesaler mark up is approximately 50-70c/kg⁴
    - 200kg carcase from abattoir has markup about $140 by wholesaler to cover transport, processing fees and delivery charges.⁴
- Employees
  - Warragul employees average 10 years of continuous service⁶
  - In 60 years of trading not lost a single day to industrial disputes⁶
  - All employees require Certificate 2 status in food processing⁶

History

1944

Father began business as one-man slaughterhouse
- on-man slaughterhouses were in most towns, Warragul had 6.

1946

Radfords – Warragul established⁶

2007

Involved in delegation of 200 Victorian food manufacturers to develop worlds first global halal brand, invited by the Brunei government.¹
Note from Managing director R Radford and Son – 28/02/2014 – Radfords were a participant in the delegation to Brunei, any publications stating or implying that R Radford and Son process meat for halal markets are incorrect. R Radford and Son do not and have never processed meat for halal markets and have not sought accreditation.¹

2011

Won awards²
1. NAB agribusiness leader of the year²
  - In past decade Warragul have doubled processing to 80,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep and lambs a year.²
2. Environment and Energy management²
2012

Up to 2012 had invested $8.3M in new plant. equipment and supporting infrastructure

Sources

‘Victorians work on first global halal brand’ The Age 24.09.2007
‘Abattoir leads way’ Pakenham Gazette star community 07.12.2011
‘A cut above’ ABC Landline 21.10.13.
‘Story behind beef retail prices’ Weekly Times 10.10.2013
‘Abattoirs cater to emerging markets’ Stock Journal 26.09.2013
http://www.radfordmeats.com
Inquiry into the impact of food safety regulation on farms and other business 18.10.12.
Personnal Communication. R Radford. 28.02.2014

Deniliquin. #2123. NSW

Australian Abattoirs, Beef processing abattoir, Deniliquin, Goat processor, New South Wales, Sheep processing abattoir 12/11/2013 Leave a comment

Deniliquin was an export abattoir accredited to process beef, sheep, goat and offal.

Deniliquin temporarily closed in 2007 due to drought with plans to re-open. It was re-opened in 2014 after it changed hands and was refurbished with the assistance of government funding. It closed again in 2017.

Last registered Aus meat export October 2017. Site was visited in March 2020, it was derelict and undergoing demolition.

Current Operation

Currently undergoing upgrades to reopen.⁶
Aus-Meat Registration as at 02/10/2017 #2123

Location

Deniliquin is located South west of NSW about 75km from the NSW/Victoria border and city of Echuca in Victoria.
285km north of Melbourne, 723km south west of Sydney³

Hema Maps – Australia Handy Map. 9th edition

Owner

Klastin (2007) – Managing director – Tony Karuse¹
Famicorp – Owned by Farouk Fami, inherited from the Estate of Nordon Becker³
Global Crown⁹
Tasman Group – Managing director Joe Catalfamo

Source – Steers Auctioneers – Meat Processing Plant Deniliqiun, 28.08.2007

Operation

Halal and HACCP accredited⁵
Small stock abattoir – sheep, small calves,lamb and goats.³
Uses an inverted chain system³
Processing capacity 3500 sheep/lambs per day⁵
8 hanging carcase chillers – 5 carton blast freezers⁵
Export registered – Japan, Egypt, Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, Russia, South Africa, Mexico⁵
modern Ammonia refrigeration plant⁵

Source – Steers Auctioneers – Meat processing plant – Deniliquin 28.08.2007

Source – Steers Auctioneers. Meat Processing plant. 28.08.2007

Source – Steers Auctioneers – Meat processing plant. Deniliquin 28.08.2007

History

Source History of Frozen Meat. Undated.
Historical picture of the Deniliquin freezing works – known then as the Riverina Freezing works

Authors note. The original freezing works I guess would have been situated near a main water source, in Deniliquin that would have been the Edward river a tributary of the Murray River. I don’t think the original Freezing works owned by the Riverina Freezing Company would have been where the current meat works is.

1990

Halal certified³

2002

Closed – reasons cited due to drought and limited numbers of livestock²
- Employed 120 people on kill days, mainly casuals.²

2003

Meat processors hard pressed meeting their requirements because of major shortage of lambs bought on by the drought⁹
Prices as high as $158 a head, five years ago was $80 a head at Deniliquin⁹
Meat processors forced to pay high prices for good quality lambs to keep thier abattoirs operating and to retain market share⁹

2006

Begun to employ overseas workers to fill vacant meatworker positions¹
- 6 workers through a Vietnamese employment agency¹
- Advertising in Australia failed to fill postions¹
- If had not got Vietnamese workers the plant would not be operating¹
Abattoir is closed at some period during this year¹⁸

2007

Klanstin with drew from the facility – closure⁵
- Was only meant to be a temporary closure
- Operated with Halal accreditation from 1990 to closure in 2007 due to drought
Issues with market and meat industy had forced temporary closure⁴
Closure due to issues of sourcing quality stock¹³

2011

- Deniliquin has faced a gradual but sustained and significant reduction in population over the past 15 years.²
  - Centralisation of policies of both state and commonwealth governments²
    - RTA divisonal headquarters closed⁹
    - Department of education – regional headquarters⁹
    - Murray Health headquarters⁹
  - prolong drought that have prevailed in much of last decade.²
- If MDBP implemented²
  - result in 58% reduction in the amount of water available to irrigated agricultural activities.²
  - Deniliquin is heavily reliant on irrigated agriculture for its ongoing survival.²
  - If MDBP implemented would jeopardise abattoir and rice mill re-opening due to reduction of water available.²
- Current circumstances in Deniliquin²
  - Deniliquin abattoir currently closed²
  - Negotiations currently underway for the abattoir to be sold and re-opened given improved rainfall and forecast availability.²Deniliquin council write a submission to the inquiry into the impact of the Murray Darling basin plan (MDBP) guide in Regional Australia.²
Region has suffered a decade long drought²⁶
Abattoirs in operation in NSW with more than 50 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff – 47⁷
- Includes meat processors, poultry and pigs.
Meat processing facilities closed in NSW since 2000 with more than 50 FTE – 9⁷
- Includes meat processors, poultry and pigs
November. facilities advertised for sale, land, equipment, structures and fittings³
Attorney for the Estate under instructions to liquidate all assets³

2012

December. Abattoir sold to Global Crown⁹.
Chief executive of Global Crown – John Wynan
- Facility could reopen 2013⁹
  - Would focus solely on sheep, production runs 1,000 sheep a day⁹
  - Goal to increase production to 3,500 sheep a day⁹
  - Halal certified with full accreditations for export⁹
- create up to 100 jobs⁹

2013

January. Global Crown Pty Ltd – John Wynan negotiation for sale, settlement delayed due to ‘legal issues’⁴
Proposes to open abattoir this year⁴
November. Abattoir has been purchased and is expected to reopen
Tasman Group purchase⁹
- estimate to employ 80 people⁹
- Upgrades to some facilities is required.⁹
- would continue as Halal slaughterhouse – for which it was fully accredited⁹
- would focus solely on sheep, production starting at 1000 head a day to process building up to 3500 head.⁹
Australian Meat Group Pty Ltd (Formerly known as Tasman Group)¹³
- Tasman group previously operated abattoirs at³¹
  - Brooklyn #688 Vic
  - Cobram #397 Vic
  - Yarrawonga #71V Vic

2014

March. Joe Catalfamo is confirmed as purchaser of Deniliquin¹¹.
- Has also purchased Dandenong #3085. Vic¹¹.
  - Dandenong is focused on cattle processing¹¹.
- Plans to create state of the art processing sites at each facility¹¹
Seasonal conditions at the time have decimated livestock numbers in QLD and NSW¹¹
August. Deniliquin abattoir is still not in operation^10.
Plan for the facility to be refurbished¹⁰
- Facility has now been out of operation for 7 years¹⁰
NSW government will provide support to the Australian Meat Group to re-open the plant¹⁰
Facility is anticipated to employ up to 130 full time jobs in the first year¹⁰
- After 5 years expected to increase to 460 full time equivalent positions¹⁰
NSW government pledge to provide $1M to upgrades for the facility¹³
- Upgrades will allow facility to meet best practice standards¹³
- Improve efficiency and provide full range of meat cuts¹³
Total cost of upgrades wasn’t able to be confirmed¹³
Australian Meat Group Pty Ltd (Formerly known as Tasman Group) have purchased the facility¹³
- Managing director Gilbert Cabreal¹³
Detailed Environment Impact Statement is yet to be completed¹³
Preparatory work has begun at the facility¹³
Pending development application for facility improvements¹³
- upgrades to the kill floor, receiving yard and amenities¹³
Plans for a new boning room, rendering plant and cold storage facility¹³
November. Property investment in the Deniliquin area has increased in recent weeks due to the abattoir plans to re-open¹⁵
Facility will be opening Mid December or early January 2015¹⁵.
50 staff have already been appointed¹⁵
Kill trials are expected to start in November¹⁶
Deniliquin plant manager – David Bridge from Gundagai¹⁶
Deniliquin Operations manager – Bernie Cabral¹⁶
Opening is expected to be early February 2015¹⁶.
Audit has been completed but some refurbishment still needs to be continued¹⁶
Submission has been sent for new plant, with construction hoped to begin February¹⁶
- Current facility would be suitable for another 2-3 years²⁰
- Plans to a new state of the art facility in the process of approval²⁰
Deniliquin is in a strong growth phase with the opening of the Rice Mills also occurring¹⁶

2015

November. Deniliquin abattoir is the 10th abattoir that Joe Catalfamo has remodelled²⁹
- Deniliquin proposal is construct a new plant on vacant land next to the existing facility²⁹
Deniliquin plant is now officially US licensed³⁰.
- This will allow the company to further develop and expand its product range when the new facility is built next door³⁰.
Currently processing 2,200 – 2,500 small stock units per day³⁰
Australian Meat Group Livestock Manager – Ben Davies³⁰
Location of Deniliquin abattoir is very good because it is centre of Australia’s most heavily populated sheep production area³⁰.
- Southern most export plant that has road train access³⁰
Growing global markets that can be harnessed for mutton, lamb, goats and bobby calves³⁰
December. Deniliquin abattoir is recommissioned and is again in operation¹⁷
$5M were spent on refurbishments¹⁷
During the commissioning phase the facility will process 1,000 sheep a day¹⁷
- Working up to 3,000 a day at full capacity¹⁷
70 people are now employed¹⁷
Second stage of production will employ a further 250 people¹⁷
- Accommodation and houses are yet to be available to accommodate some workers¹⁷.
Abattoir production will be both domestic and export¹⁷
Exported meat will go to;¹⁷
- Japan, Middle East, Vietnam¹⁷
- Plans to secure a US export licence soon¹⁷

Source ‘Renovated Riverina abattoir re-opens driving property boom’ ABC Rural 14.01.2015

2017

February. Meat processors are finding conditions very difficult with livestock prices increasing for both beef and lamb⁹⁹
- Prices to consumers expected for meat to increase by at least $1 per kg¹⁹
Lambs at some saleyards are selling for 750c per kg⁹⁹
Also a shortage of lamb supplies¹⁹
Numbers for kills is expected to be less by 1M head across Australia¹⁹
March 17. Deniliquin abattoir operations are temporarily halted²⁰
- due to unsustainable lamb market²⁰
- Complete shutdown is hoped to only last 2-3 weeks²⁰
- Return to operation depending on market conditions²⁰
  - Australian dollar was currently very high²¹
Currently 180 workers were employed at the site²⁰
Have been operating the facility for 2-3 days a week due to stock prices²⁰
Focus on markets is currently into South America²⁰
- Current stock values were at $6 /kg carcase weight²⁰
  - To be competitive the abattoir needs the value to be $5/kg or less²⁰
Company had decided not to pursue further infrastructure developments at the site²⁰.
April. Other abattoir closures are occurring around Australia due to stock availability and prices²⁴
- Cobram #397 Vic.
- Longford #195 Tas
- Cootamundra.1 #87 NSW
- Esperance #1459 WA
Some facilities that have significantly reduced operations²⁴
- Goulburn #217 NSW
- Tamworth.1 #394 NSW
- Gunbower Vic.
Over-capacity in the lamb processing industry relative to supply pool is exasperated by the expansion of formerly only domestic plants now being export accredited and having export market access²⁴
- Export markets are unwilling or unable to pay more for Australian meat²⁴.
Reports equipment from the Deniliquin facility is being removed²⁵
Operations and Managing directors aren’t responding to calls⁹⁵.
Employees under 457 visa’s have been sent home²⁵
Lamb prices have actually risen higher to $6.60 /kg²⁵
- Indications are that the lamb prices will stay relatively strong²⁵
Prices hit 700c /kg proving to be a breaking point for some abattoir operations
- Total setback of 6 closures (not including Esperance) in eastern Australia will result in 50,000 less lambs processed in Victoria and NSW²⁷
September. “With a high currency, low numbers, and high cost of production and processing in Australia, we are a little bit like the Murray Goulburn of the beef industry” – Australia’s red meat processing sector is in crisis. MLA CEO Richard Norton²⁶

2020

March. Author visited this site, property and buildings were derelict and obviously not used for some time.
- scrap metal workers actively removing equipment and items
- All stock yards and infrastructure around the facility was removed.