Australian Abattoirs

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

Brooklyn

Australian Abattoirs, Brooklyn, Victoria 13/11/2013 Leave a comment

Other Names

Current Operation

Operational as at 13.11.2013
Establishment #0688²
Export accredited abattoir processing Beef, Sheep, Goat and Offal.²

Location

Brooklyn is located 14km from Melbourne’s CBD¹

Hema Maps – Australia Truckies atlas.

Owner

JBS Australia¹
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)
Abattoirs owned by JBS in South Australia
- Bordertown (SA)

Operation

Establishment #688¹
Beef – grass and grain fed¹
lamb, hogget, mutton & veal¹
Employees – 688¹
Processes 5,200 daily¹
Largest multis species processing facility in southern hemisphere¹

History

2001

June. Fire had gutted the plant³

2002

March. SBA foods sell to Tasman Group Services, new trading name Belandra Pty Ltd.³
- Brooklyn export abattoir operated in conjunction with Westgate coolstores
- $25M deal included purchase with Longord abattoir (Tas) and King Island abattoir (Tas) mothballed Altona meatworks in Melbourne west and 8,000 head Yambinya feedlot at Wakool near Deniliquin NSW.³
Brooklyn facility still in reasonable condition, efforts to re-open had failed but SBA has spent $10M on the beef slaughter chain, chiller and boning facilities in the past 4 years.³

2005

June. Trade halted on export of meat to Malaysia over doubts concerning halal status of Australian meat⁶

2006

January. Market access to Malaysia suspended⁷
- Malaysians concerned that pneumatic stunning and use of the thoracic stick (Used to speed up bleeding of carcase) were being used to speed killing process.⁷
April. Brooklyn receives Halal approval from Malaysian Islamic Development department.⁶
- AQIS allow milder level of eclectrical stunning and thoracic stick at least 2 minutes after slaughter⁷
- Grantham abattoir (QLD) and Wodonga abattoir (Vic) also gained approval⁷
- Kilcoy abattoir (QLD), Longford abattoir (Tas) failed the accreditation tests.⁷

2008

JBS buy Tasman group Longford abattoir (Tas) , King Island abattoir (Tas) and Devonport abattoir (Tas) and three plants in Victoria, 1,800 workers at the six plants.⁴

2010

December. JBS Swift locked out cold storage workers under the Labor workplace relations regulations.⁴
- Workers had rejected a proposed new enterprise agreement⁴
- JBS offered wage adjustment 2% a year over 2 years⁴
- Shifts increase from 8 hrs to between 9.5-12.6hrs affecting workers overtime and weekend penalty rates⁴
- Union claim its a real wage cut given rate of inflation
- Mostly immigrant workers striking granted a one-of payment of $250 and not normal wage on strike time, payable when picket disbanded.⁴
- Union shut down picket on December 22 to revive on January 4⁴
Work had continued at the plant with workers flown in from QLD and others sourced from a labour hire agency⁴

2012

JBS Australia split into two operating entities to make Northern and Southern regions in relation to abattoirs and feedlots within those areas⁸.
- South – Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania⁸
- North – NSW and QLD.⁸

2013

February. Received carbon abatement grant $212,512 towards equipment replacement worth $425,000⁵
- replace boiler network with a higher efficency boiler and heat exchanger.⁵
- Expect to reduce carbon emissions by 35%, saving $60,000 in energy costs per year⁵

2014

July. JBS Australia across all facilities in operation kills daily⁸
- 8,500 cattle,⁸
- 24,000 smalls – which includes lambs⁸
- Employs more than 8,000 people⁸

Sources

‘Our Plants – Brooklyn’ http://www.jbsswift.com.au Accessed 13.11.2013
Aus meat List 28.02.2014
‘SBA foods sells to Tasman groups services’ Stock and Land. 19.03.2002
‘Australia: Union shuts down picket of locked out meatworkers’ http://www.wsws.org 28.12.10
‘Teys, T & R in latest round of carbon abatement grants’ Beef Central 18.02.13
Headlines for week ending 21.04.06 http://www.profarmer.com.au.
‘Abattoirs supply Malaysia again’ Farm Weekly, 19.04.2006
‘The next Swift shift’ The Weekly Times. 30.07.2014

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.

Sources – Deniliquin #2488

‘Deniliquin abattoir defends hiring overseas workers’ ABC News. 11.09.2006
Deniliquin shire council submission to senate inquiry, Murray Darling basin plan. 22.01.2011.
‘Deniliquin abattoirs – For sale’ http://www.famicorp.com.au 04.11.2012
‘Deniliquin abattoir sale stalls’ http://www.mmg.com.au 08.11.2013
‘Meat Processing plant – Deniliquin NSW’ Steers Auctioneers 28.08.2007
‘Deniliquin abattoir to reopen’ The Pastoral times. 05.11.13
Mr Buckingham questioning Minister of roads and ports. http://www.parliament.nsw 31.05.11
‘Lamb prices soar as suppliers struggle to meet demand’ Sydney morning herald. 14.09.2003
‘Sale deal close on abattoirs’ The Border mail. 19.12.2012
rel_stoner_20140820_deniliquin-abattoir
‘Abattoir plans for Deni’ The Land 20.03.2014.
‘New life for old export abattoir’ Liberal Party of Australia 21.08.2014
‘Cash for abs’ http://www.mmg.com.au. 22.08.2014
‘Deniliquins abattoir to reopen with investment from NSW Government’ The Weekly Times 26.08.2014
‘Meat money flows’ http://www.mmg.com.au. 25.11.2014
‘Abs trial’ http://www.mmg.com.au 25.11.2014
‘Renovated Riverina abattoir re-opens driving property boom’ ABC Rural 14.01.2015
https://www.ipart.nsw.gov.au/files/6feefd0b-6076-4cce-b3e6-8b0d06615116/Council_Improvement_Proposal.pdf
‘Record lamb prices killing off country abattoirs’ ABC News 24.02.2017
‘Abs work halted’ Shepparton News 17.03.2017
‘Meat Commitment – Administrator to meet with abattoir executives’ Shepparton News 21.03.2017
‘Sawmill could fill lost jobs’ Shepparton News 24.03.2017
‘Statement of temporary closure of Deniliquin abattoir’ Edward River council 17.03.2017.
‘Indefinite closures for JBS lamb plants, as supply challenge reaches critical point’ Beef Central 20.04.2017
‘Fears for abattoir’s future’ Deniliquin Pastoral Times 11.04.2017
Deniliquin council submission to inquiry into the impact of the Murray Darling basin plan. 22.01.2011
‘Door shuts on sixth abattoir’ QLD country life. 11.05.2017
‘Red meat crisis the new MG says MLA boss’ The Weekly times. 27.09.2017 27.09.2017
‘Catalfamo’s abattoir industry return’ The Stock and Land 11.11.2015
‘Deniliquin: sheep, lambs, goats, calves’ Stock and Land 11.11.2015
‘What’s iin store: pointy end of the year’ Stock and Land 09.11.2013

Coonamble

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

Coonamble is located Northern NSW and closed in 2001 citing GST and crippling government charges. It is currently undergoing renovations for reopening in 2014.

Other Names

Current Operation

Is currently undergoing renovation to reopen in 2014

Location

Coonamble is about 230km direclty south of the NSW/QLD border, Large cities closest Tamworth 292km by road or Sydney 700km in a straight line South east.

Hema Maps – Australia Truckies atlas.

Owner

Castlereagh – Bill Scott¹
- Other directors John and Len Scott²
2012 – Nasser Beydoun

Operation

Operated butcher shops in Coonamble.³
Employed 52 workers.

History

1974

Scott Brothers took over operation of abattoir³

2000

May. Impending GST set to force sale or shutdown of abattoir²
- Under GST – Meat processors required to pay GST on all stock purchases and claim tax back as refund².
- Problem is purchases need to be settled in 7 days and refunds not received for 2 months.²
- Coonamble would require $200,000 in additional interest chargesto cover GST in first month of reporting period, then another $400,000 while waiting for refund²
- represent a liability of $50 per head for owning a beast 24 hours.

Martin Ferguson (Labor) claims GST was responsible for Coonamble closure¹
Bill Scott – owner – “Cause of closure lies squarely at the feet of the Carr Labor government”, he called “never ending regime of charges and regulations”¹
- Government implemented pay roll tax, workers compensation changes and state departmental fees and charges – Bill scott identified as buisiness killers¹
July. Abattoir closed.
- Citing GST as catalyst and crippling state government costs³
- Works to be mothballed but maintained to export standards for immediate start up.³
Operational costs in NSW higher than QLD.³
- AMH closed Aberdeen abattoir (NSW), now sending all stock to Dinmore abattoir (QLD) – $14 cheaper even with extra cartage.³
Coonamble had been larges buyer of yearling cattle in NSW³
On closure had 40 on last week payroll, and bought 1/3 of yarding at Coonamble sale³

2001

Offically closed.⁴

2008

Coonamble Shire Council commission a study which found the facility was a viable option.⁴
- Used results of study to attract an investor⁴

2012

June. Business sold to a Sydney Company⁴
- when reopened will employ 30 people⁴
- Produce Halal certified beef and lamb⁴
- buy livestock from North west NSW and southern QLD⁴
refurbishment of abattoir currently 80% complete with opening expected in September⁴
July new owners, Nasser Beydoun, owner, manages sodt drink and dip business, first foray into meat⁵
- Will start with 30 employees, number likely to grow⁵
- working with council to ensure meet licensing requirements⁵
- producer halal certified beef, lamb and goat meat⁵
- Require new boilers, cookers, doing up slaughter room, power is upgraded and have started work on fridges and cool room⁸
Opening of an abattoir after being mothballed so long (11 years) is almost without precedent⁷
Halal meat – growing metroplitan market⁸
Expect to be opened January or February 2014⁸
New owners are buying houses for staff in town of Coonamble⁸
Government’s upgrading program a loop line will be provided with new siding and loading area at Coonamble railway – is a good outcome for the abattoir operations⁹
Oct. Shire talk of developments to date of abattoir’¹⁰
- 1 meat inspector position has been filled with another advertised¹⁰
- Owners notified council – sheep and cattle to be processed in one line¹⁰
- 17 points yet to be addressed prior to reinstatement of licence¹⁰
  - Previous operations residents on the opposite side of the river had complained of odour¹⁰
- Consideration given to selling local sheep yards as they weren’t being used¹⁰
  - sheep yards were part of saleyard enterprise¹⁰
  - Sheep yards to remain¹¹

Nov Coonabarabran abattoir (NSW) (located 112km SE of Coonamble) closed⁶.
- Closed due to inability to recover from $190,000 fine for effluent spill & Owner had been diagnosed with leukaemia and unable to work⁶

2013

Mar. Meeting held with owners, still compliance and investment funding issues¹²

Sources

‘Ferguson wrong again on abattoir closure’ John Anderson Dpt Prime Minister Media release. 05.07.2000
‘Coonamble abattoir early GST victim’ Stock Journal 31.05.2000
‘State rules shut abattoir’ The Land 06.07.2000
‘Plans to reopen Coonamble abattoir’ ABC news 11.07.12
‘Prosperous future of Coonamble abattoir’ ABC news 12.07.12
‘Closed Coonabarabran abattoir up for sale’ The Northern Daily Leader 13.11.12
‘Coonamble plant to re-open’ Beef Central 08.11.13
‘Coonamble abattoir reopening to create local jobs’ ABC news. 29.07.13
Coonamble shire council meeing minutes 11.07.12
Coonamble shire council meeting minutes 10.10.12
Coonamble shire council Ordinary meeting 12.12.12
Coonamble Shire council. Business paper 15.05.13

Camperdown

Australian Abattoirs, Camperdown, Victoria 09/11/2013 Comments: 2

Camperdown abattoir was located close to Sydney and closed in 1991 following violent industrial confrontations over pay and conditions.

Other Names

Current Operation

Closed 1991¹

Location

8km SE Sydney CBD

Hema Maps – Australia Truckies atlas.

Owner

Famicopr – Farouk Fami¹

Operation

Famicorp also own Deniliquin Abattoir (NSW).¹

History

1991

May. Fired 130 workers²
Oct. Mounted police charged meatworkers picketing abattoir 26th October 1991²
- Body Hire firm – ‘Troubleshooters Available’ assis abattoir to find contract labour²
- Camperdown 1st abattoir to be staffed by contract labour²
Violent protests between unions against police and contractors over pay conditions and pay.¹
Mangement decided to employ contract workers, never reached an agreement with unions, abattoir closed.¹
Bitter and violent industrial confrontation forced plant’s closure¹
“ Troubles arise from attempts by some exporters to cut meatworkers wages and conditions” Bill Malcolm – Senior lecturer in Agricultural economics at Melbourne University
Several closures in Victoria abattoirs as a result of shortage of livestock
QLD meat industry seen as having advantage over Vic-
- QLD – increasingly lot fed animals receving higher export prices, ability to export quicker to Japan²
- Vic – grass fed animals,
  - Extracting difference in profit margins from meatworkers²

2007

Poperty is carved into 6 lots and beng advertised for total price of $800,000 (dated 10.12.2007)¹
- old abattoir site nearly 10ha for sale for $230,000¹
- Is an abandoned site, in shocking repair, has asbestos¹
- Shire council asked management to clean up site¹

Sources

‘Derelict abattoir for sale’ The Standard. 10.12.2007
‘Mounted Police attack abattoir pcikets’ Green left weekly. 30.10.1991

Blayney

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

Other Names

ANZCO abattoir

Current Operation

closed 1998²

Location

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

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

‘Abattoir industry in disastrous state’ ABC Rural 16.02.10
‘Aus Meat Accreditation Listing November 1987 – private email, Ausmeat. 16.01.13
‘Aus-Meat accreditation Listing – current at 14.01.2013
‘1,800 Meat workers stood down’ Sydney Morning Herald (SMH). 20.04.1998. http://www.abattoirs.com.au
‘Threat to beef export trade’ SMH 08.02.1996.www.abattoirs.com.au
‘US names abattoirs producing bad beef’ SMH 24.01.1996.www.abattoirs.com.au
‘Europe blacklists six abattoirs’ SMH 23.01.1996. http://www.abattoirs.com.au
‘Meat Exporters have bone to pick with us’ SMH 19.01.1996. http://www.abattoirs.com.au
‘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 #0239^{^4.}
- 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bowen

Australian Abattoirs, Bowen, Northern QLD, Queensland 05/11/2013 Leave a comment

Other Names

Bowen Freezing works
Merinda abattoir

Current Operation

Closed 1997²
- Other articles cite closure as 1996.⁴

Location

Merinda – 6 miles from Bowen

Hema Maps – Australia Truckies atlas.

Owner

Bergl (Australia) Ltd³
Thomas Borthwick & Son – owned 5-6 abattoirs in Australia (1933)³
AMH (1986)²
Nippon Meats (Japanese) purchased 1989.⁴
Nippon Meat Packers⁶
- Subsidiary of a Japanese Multinational
- Nippon meat packers incorporated 1978⁶
Source Nippon Meat Packers Australia interactive beef products

This is a great diagram that is able to be clicked on in the Nippon website and illustrates where the various cuts of beef and offal are located in the animals bodies
Nippon currently own 3 operating abattoirs in Australia ( as at 2016)

Operation

Purchased stock from Western QLD & NT

History of Bowen Meatworks

1890’s

Recognition that the export trade of meat needs to be developed for the economic benefit of Australian producers (Pg 1041).⁹
- Existing low values are due to fact that half to one third of surplus meat is exported.⁹
- Should be exporting 250,000 to 300,000 carcases of beef.⁹
- £1M pounds is required to construct meatworks.⁹
- If not constructed £10M pounds could be added to existing capital of the banks and still their securities would be unprofitable(Pg 1042).⁹
Parliament develope “The Meat and Dairy Produce Encouragement Act”(Pg 1042).⁹
- Levy imposed on both cattle and sheep.⁹
- 2 funds .⁹
  1. Dairying herds
  2. Beef herds
- Fund allows for establishment of meatworks at.⁹
  - Pinkenba
  - Bowen
  - Redbank
  - Cardwell
  - Broadsound
  - Gladstone
  - Brisbane
  - Charleville
  - Mackay
  - Biboohra (Mareeba)
  - Burketown and
  - Sellheim

1894

Operation was started by local cattlemen.¹¹
- Cattle were selling for as low as 30/ per head.¹¹
- Only in operation for one year.¹¹

Bergl purchased
- Had connections with Houlden Bros – Boats known as Grange Line.¹¹
Works employed 200-400 men.¹¹
Killed an average of 15,000 cattle per annum.¹¹
- the best year being 30,000 head.¹¹

1905

Bergl Australia acquire the small plant, at this time known as Merinda.⁹
- Prior to this had been by Bowen Meat Export and Agency Co.¹⁰

1919

In operation

1932

November. Bowen works is purchased by Borthwick’s with the intention of commencement of export operations in 1933.¹¹
Borthwicks had been operating Burdekin meatworks previous 2-3 years.¹¹
- have not continued with the lease.¹¹
Prior to Borthwicks purchase the Bowen meatworks had been idle for sometime.¹¹
- Bergl had installed modern machinery in the previous year.¹¹
- Bergl did not intend to carry on in QLD.¹¹
Borthwicks had obtained prominent army contracts.¹¹
- In 1923 securing bulk of the war office yearly contract of 6,000 tonnes for home command.¹¹

1933

Borthwick & Son purchased. Rebuilt and made extensions.³

Source – QLD National State Library. #137304
Thomas Borthwick & Sons Freezing works. Undated

1941

Oil stove used to heat bitumen to seal cork insulation in the storage section caught fire³
Was 800t of meat in the store at the time.³
300 employees killing 376 cattle a day for export

Source QLD National Library. #137256
Thomas Borthwick & Sons Freezing works

1958

Slaughter processing peak 58,500 head.¹⁰

1960’s

Closed overnight – Lord Borthwick unable to meet demands of unions and strikes¹

1963

Is currently registered as a meat export works (Pg 314).⁵
- Proprietor – Thos. Borthwick & Sons (A/Asia) Ltd

1980’s

The Australian beef trading/processing environment is worsening(Pg 119).⁵
- QLD Cattle herd in 1975 was 14M head.⁵
  - QLD Cattle herd in 1987 is 9M.⁵
- There is low utilisation rates through meatworks and the need to reduce the number the meatworks is seen to improve efficency and reduce operational costs (Pg 120).⁵

1983

Federal Industries Assistance Commission produce a report that reveals the Australian meat processing industry has 38% excess capacity (Pg 126).⁷

1986

April. Joint Venture Proposal is begun to amalgamate.⁷
- FJ Walkers (Owned by Elders IXL)
  - Already own 10 abattoirs, including 4 key export works and meat packing plants in Australia (Pg 119).⁵
- Metro Meat Industries
- Smorgon Consolidated Industries
- Tancred Bros
- Thomas Borthwick & Sons
  - Borthwicks to add their plants of Mackay (QLD) and Bowen.⁷
Wide spread concern of potential domination of the QLD beef market by the merger entity (Pg 127).⁷
May. Trade Practices Commission (TPC) holds a investigation.⁷
June. TPC announce will not place legal impediment to the merger.⁷
July. Borthwicks withdraw from talks(pg 120).⁵
- Borthwicks had operation problems of it’s own and wanted to sell all Australian assets including hides and skin processing not just jewels of Bowen and Mackay.⁵
- Portland (Vic) would be particularly difficult to sell due to union unrest.⁵

1987

Is listed in Aus-Meat Accreditation List as Establisment #723.⁸
- Borthwick. T & Sons Ltd.

1988

January. Teys Brothers are in discussion with Borthwick to purchase Borthwick Australian assets and a Japanese branch of the company (Pg 121).⁵
Teys had been in a joint venture with Canada Packers (Pg 121).⁵
- Canada Packers withdrew from the joint venture which influenced Teys to seek financial backing from Kerry Packer in bidding for the Borthwick assets
- Purchase price $25M Australian
AMH saw the ‘new entrant’, Teys as a threat to AMH’s ability to remain profitable and achieve further rationalisation in the northern region (Pg 122).⁵
AMH commented that Borthwick operations were the main price competition in QLD (Pg 122).⁵
- If Borthwicks not in the market AMH would earn $10 a head more per animal.⁵
AMH offered Borthwicks $29M for Australian Assets (Pg 122)
TPC advised AMH not to proceed without their consultation as they would likely contravene Sec 50 Trade Practices Act and likely dominate the QLD cattle market (Pg 123).⁵
TPC placed an injunction for AMH to withdraw offer (Pg 123).⁵
- AMH resisted arguing the the order would likely allow Teys to purchase without actual determination of contravention of section 50.⁵
- AMH offered undertaking that Borthwicks business’s would be maintained and conducted independently and in competition with the business of AMH.⁵
- TPC accepted but possible divestiture order was of significant commercial risk to AMH.⁵
  - TPC announced an inquiry was to be held.⁵
- Borthwicks sale to AMH was accepted 26/01/1988
Borthwick Hides and skins business were immediately sold.⁵
All remaining parts of Borthwicks were combined with AMH
February. TPC begins inquiry.⁵
- TPC accepts that northern QLD is a seperate market to central and southern QLD.⁵
- AMH control 5 of the 10 abattoirs in the region.⁵
Bowen abattoir could lift total regional slaughter capacity to over 76.76%.⁵
TPC ruled AMH had contravened section 50.⁵
- Ruling was AMH must divest itself of Bowen & Mackay
  - Could retain control of Portland (pg 128).⁷
- 3 months to do so
- appeals and cross appeals conducted.
Trade Practices Commission forced sale due to AMH having dominant market share.²

March. TPC final judgement ruling on AMH case (Pg 123).⁵
- Case is held as precedent on what constitutes the geographical limits of a product market
While the court case was in process AMH had been operating the plants(Pg 123).⁵
- Profits from them had been above market expectations.⁵
- Bowen was of marginal importance
- Mackay was significant because of the access to lucrative Japanes market (Pg 128).⁷
AMH offered QLD plants to Anglo Irish $32M (Pg 124).⁵
- initially Anglo Irish accepted but revalued plants at considerably less and withdrew from the deal
TPC increased pressure on AMH to sell plants (pg 124).⁵
- If AMH didn’t sell them TPC would put plants up for public auction at market price
Nippon Meat Packers, in consortium with Mackay Sugar to purchase the Bowen and Mackay plants (Pg 123,86).⁵
- reported $32M

1996

Closed as part of Industry rationalisation.⁴

1997

Closed.²

1998

March. Petition – Abattoirs, presented to Parliament – 1,248 signatures. requesting⁴
1. Revoke export licence for the Nippon Meat abattoirs at Mackay and Merinda: and⁴
2. initiate a review of foreign investment guidelines in Australia to ensure that multi-national companies investing in Australia are bound by a code of conduct which protects the interests of all stakeholders, and not just overseas stakeholders.⁴

Sources

Facebook KBS 16.01.13
‘Northern Australian Beef Industry – Assessment of opportunities and risks’ ABARE 2012
‘Fire Damages Bowen meat works’ Courier Mail 05.07.41
House of Representatives Petition. Abattoirs. 09.03.1998.
‘World on a plate – A history of meat processing in Australia’ Stephen Martyn
‘Meat Processing in Australia’ IBIS World. June 2010
‘Employers & Industrial Relations in the Australian Meat Processing Industry’ J OLeary 2008
‘Aus-Meat Accreditation list November 1987
QLD beef industry 1962. pdf
‘Triumph in the Tropics’ http://www.oesr.qld.gov.au 1959
‘Purchased by Borthwicks’ www.trove.nla.au 28.11.1932

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