Tag Archives: Australian Abattoirs

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

Camperdown

Hema Maps – Australia Truckies atlas.

Owner

  • Famicopr – Farouk Fami1

Operation

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

  1. ‘Derelict abattoir for sale’ The Standard. 10.12.2007
  2. ‘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   

Australia. Blayney

Blayney

Hema Maps – Australia Truckies atlas.

Owner

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

Other abattoirs in Australia

Go to this link to view Location of Australian Abattoirs

abattoirs_edited-1   

Operation  of Blayney #155

  • Sheep processing facility6

History

1900

  • Freezing works3

1957

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

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

1963

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

1976

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

1987

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

1996

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

1997

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

1998

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

2010

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

2014

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

2016

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

 

Sources

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

NSW Meat Industry Milestones

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

General Quotes and Information

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

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

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

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

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

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


Timeline Information

1987

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

1995

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

1996

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

1998

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

2013

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

Sources

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

Casino. #239. NSW

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

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

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

Other Names

  • Northern Co-operative Meat Company

 

Current Operation

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

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

Location   

Australia. Casino

Casino

Hema Maps – Australia Truckies atlas.

Owner

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

Operation  

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

Source Beef Central 05.11.2014. Logo

Source Beef Central 08.06.2017

History

1933

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

1933 – 1939

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

1975

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

2000

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

2010

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

2011

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

2012

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

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

2013

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

 

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

2014

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

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

Source. Beef Central. 24.09.2014

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

2015

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

Source. Beef Central 29.12.2015

2016

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

Source Beef Central 27.01.2016

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

 

Source Wiley 20.09.2016

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

 Source Wiley 19.03.2016

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

Source Wiley 20.09.2016

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

 

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

Source Beef Central 12.05.2016

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

  • Top 100 Australian food and beverage companies list

Source Beef Central 27.02.2016

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

2017

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

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

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

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

Source Beef Central 15.08.2017

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

Sources. Casino

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

Cloncurry #1

Australian Abattoirs, Central QLD, Cloncurry #1, Queensland 19/07/2013 Leave a comment

Current Operation

  • Operating (2012)1

Location             

  Australia. Cloncurry                

Owner                 

  •  

Operation          

  • Small local processor1

History                

 

Sources

  1. ‘Northern Australian beef Industry – Assessment of risks and opportunities’ ABARE. 2012.

Camooweal

Australian Abattoirs, Camooweal, Central QLD, Queensland 19/07/2013 Leave a comment

Current Operation

  • Operating (2012)

Location             

  • NT/SA border, 190 km NW of Mt Isa

Australia. Camooweal

Owner                 

  •  

Operation          

  • Small local processor who supplies own butchers shop1

History                

 

Sources

  1. ‘Northern Australian beef Industry – Assessment of risks and opportunities’ ABARE. 2012.

Berrimah

Australian Abattoirs, Berrimah, Northern Territory, Top End 02/07/2013 Leave a comment

Authors Note – May be confusion in Darwin timelines as a packing plant was built and a number of abattoirs.Some articles contradict in dates therefore timeline may be inaccurate.

Other names

  • Angliss abattoir
  • Berrimah Abattoir
  • Central abattoirs5
  • Darwin abattoir (Pg 189)
  • 10 mile abattoir (Pg 190)

Current Operation             

  • reopened 1960’s3
  • Closed 1970’s for a period
  • Was operating in to the 1980’s9
  • site is closed and has been redeveloped now, 2013

Location             

  • Ten Mile abattoirs reserve5
  • Is an Angliss Road, Berrimah, off the Stuart Highway, south of Robbie Robbins reserve.

Australia. Berrimah

Map - Berrimah

Owner                 

  • North Australian Meat Company1
  • Sir William Charles2
  • Vesty’s (1934)

Operation          

  • Export and Domestic accredited11

History                

  • Sir William Charles (1865-1957)– Migrated from England, Engaged in butcher trade in Kent when young. Migrated to Roackhampton (QLD) 1884. Moved to Melbourne and opened two butcher stores in 1886.He began to export meat. Over the next 30 years became a dominant figure in Australian meat export trade. Sent meat to WA goldfields, latter to forces in South Africa and Britain. Built his own freezer works in Footscray 1905. Exported to NZ, opened offices in London and Liverpool. Brought meatworks in Forbes 1914 and Riverstone, Sydney 1920, Brisbane 1924 and with a rival (F.J. Walker) in Rockhampton 1927. Leased and bought cattle stations in 3 eastern states with Sir Kidney Kidman. Purchased QLD properties owned by the government in 1929. QLD properties could support 80,000hd. 1930’s claims William Charles owned the largest personally controlled  meat enterprise in the British Empire. 1933 Vestey’s acquired his Vic and the whole Angliss meat business except the QLD properties.

1934  

  • Vestey’s purchased Angliss meat business for £1.5M2
  • Improvements in refrigeration now made it possible to send chilled rather than frozen product6

1942 

  • Government requested in early days of war that Bovril (VRD) supply 400 head to Darwin per month at £5 each. Few stockmen left due to labour shortage and Bovril had difficulty filling this order7

1959     

  • Improved to meet stringent USDA (USA Dept of agriculture) hygiene regulations4
  • Combined with Katherine – capacity of 60,000hd per year, first time NT had export killing capacity3

1961 

  • William Angliss and Co began building Central Abattoirs at Ten Mile abattoir reserve. This was to serve as a central killing works for Darwin with the aim of adding an export annex5

1960’s

  • Angliss began to trial Buffalo, product shipped to Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan and some into the domestic market.(Pg 44)13
  • At this time feral buffalo could be shot in the field and the meat used for export as long as the carcase was at an abattoir within an hour(Pg 44)13

1964  

  • Prior to this abattoir (1963) and Katherine abattoir (1964) being built stock were walked along stockroutes to railheads in Alice Springs or across to Wyndham abattoir, QLD. Murranji stockroute last stock use was 1967 as cattle now went to Katherine and Darwin8
  • During this period road transport began to dominate and stock routes less used8
  • Vesteys opened4
  • Paid 6 shillings and half pence a pound, Hong Kong export market couldn’t afford to match paying 5 shillings and half pence a pound4

1965

  • Robert Bright would capture wild baby pigs feed up and sell to Berrimah (then called Angliss abattoir) (Pg 241)12

1968

  • Laurie Howard supplied Buffalo’s from Dorisvale station (then managed by Leo Whitely) (Pg 189)12
  • Manager at abattoir – George Welch, took over from Peter White (Pg 190)12

1970’s

  • Buffalo were now required to be to delivered live to an abattoir for slaughter.(Pg 44)13

1980

  • Berrimah abattoir not in operation (Pg 245)12

1970        

  • Couldn’t meet USDA standards – lost export licence, so did Broome,Derby, Wyndham and Katherine3

1991

  • Berrimah closes.10

 

Sources

  1. ‘100 years of Northern Beef production’ Nth QLD Register 22.11.12
  2. Angliss, Sir Willam Charles – Australian Dictionary  of Bigraphy.
  3. ‘Sailing ahead’ Annabelle Coppin 2009
  4. ‘The Australian Livestock export trade’ Nigel  Austin 2011
  5. ‘Wild Cattle, Wild Country’ Ann Marie Ingham 2007.
  6. ‘The Rise and fall of the house of Vestey’ Phillip Knight 1993.
  7. ‘The Big Run – The story of VRD station’ Jock Makin 1970.
  8. ‘The Murranji track – Ghost road of the drovers’ Darrell Lewis. 2007
  9. Personal communication of person who supplied abattoir. 04.11.13.
  10. ‘New abattoir for $500,000’ Top Paddock newsletter #1 Sept 1993
  11. NT DPI Annual records dated 2000.
  12. ‘The Privileged Few’ Jeff Hill. 2008
  13. ‘World on a plate – A history of meat processing in Australia’ Stephen Martyn 2013

Kangaroo Island (SA)

Australian Abattoirs, Kangaroo Island, South Australia 25/06/2013 Leave a comment

Other Names

  • KI Abattoir

Current Operation

  • Closed – 19981

Location

Owner

  • Samex Australian Meat Company, Managing Director – Rob Black. Purchased early 20131

Operation

  • Previously had operated seasonally for 5-6 months of the year2
  • Would require a combined throughput of 5000 sheep and lambs each week over a 9-10 month period to sustain the operation1

History

2013

  • Samex Australian Meat Company purchased1
  • May. discussion with producerson ability to commit to supply, producers were able to do 100,000 lambs but thought 200,000 was unrealistic1
  • Samex not looking for investors but commitment from growers to support2
  • Current production was required to be changed from over a 4-5 month period to 9-10 month1

Sources

  1. ‘KI abattoir Interest grows’ The Land. 02.05.13
  2. ‘Crunch time for Kangaroo Island abattoir’ The Islander 09.04.13.

Robb Jetty

Australian Abattoirs, Peel Region, Robb Jetty, Western Australia 24/06/2013 Leave a comment

Other names

  • Fremantle Freezing and Meat works7

Current Operation

  • Closed, is now a historic site with a preserved chimney of the original meat processing works.6

coogee-chimney-01-2012

Source – http://www.mingor.net/

Robbs Jetty meat processing site, historic chimney that has been preserved at the site.

Location              

  • Fremantle Freezing and meat works7

Australia. Robb Jetty

Map. Robb JettySource – Hema Maps. Australia Truckies Atlas.

Owner

  • Fremantle Freezing and Meat Works7
  • Western Australian Meat Preservers7
  • Western Australian Meat Exporters7

                               

Operation

  • Processed cattle and sheep
  • Had access from sea for unloading barges and railhead for inland animals
  • Export2
  • Operated originally by the WA Meat co-operative
  • had a long pier/jetty going to the ocean – named Robs Jetty.
  • Cattle transported from North WA, barges would unload onto jetty and animals walk to abattoir.
  • Closed due to population pressure, other abattoirs & prices

 History          

1850’s

  • Meat houses constructed in the area to service the convict establishment at Femantle Gaol7

1894 

  • Duracks (Kimberley’s) through agents Francis Conner and Dennis Doherty shipped cattle to Fremantle5
  • Dame Mary Durack- ‘Sons in the saddle’ – cattle originally swam to shore, now offloaded onto a jetty5
  • Cattle getting £3 a head in south markets, started their own Live Export to Manila5
  • Slaughterhouses established in the area, known as ‘Kimberley Meat Ring’, they had a monopoly on meat supply to metropolitian and Goldfields7.
    • Forrest, Emaual and Co
    • Conner, Doherty and Durack

1898

  • Railway was built from Fremantle to Robb Jetty6
  • Same period abattoir was built in Fremantle – consisted of offices, holding yards, freezer and chiller facilities6

1919

  • Robb Jetty constructed – prior to construction animals unloaded into the water and swam to shore7
  • Robb jetty abattoir constructed, portion being the preserved chimney – Known as Fremantle Freezing and Meat works. Capacity limited to few thousand lambs per year7
  • Abattoir also was cold store for potatoes, fruit, manufactured ice and carried out wool scouring7

1940

  • Robb Jetty company in financial strife, Commonwealth government stepped in to provide help.7

1942

  • Company bought out by government, changed name to Western Australian Meat Preservers’ latter to ‘Western Australian Meat Exporters’7
  • Abattoir diversified to include fruit storage, egg pulp, turtle and crayfish processing7

1966  

  • Ship – Centaur,passenger liner that carried 4000 sheep below decks. turned every fortnight from Singapore, Kuala Lumpar & Perth, return trip would pick up at Broome from Emaual stations and taken to Fremantle, sold at Robbs Jetty saleyards5 Pg 25

1970’s

  • Jetty dismantled, possibly in 1960’s6

1988/89     

  • Abattoir closed by the National Party3

1992

  • Numerous attempt to revive competitiveness failed and was shut down7

1994

  • Equipment removed from building.7
  • Chimney is only part remaining, listed on the State register of Heritage Places.6

1996

  • State Government supplied $50,000 for restoration of chimney.7

Sources

  1. Personal Communication #1 28.01.13
  2. Parliament Hansard. S. Thomas. 17.08.05
  3. Parliament Hansard M Trenorden 17.08.05
  4. ‘Brief History of the WA Lamb Marketing board’ www.wammco.com.au
  5. ‘The Australian Livestock export trade’ Nigel Austin 2011
  6. ‘South Fremantle, Western Australia’ Wikipedia, 24.06.13
  7. ‘Interim Heritage listing for Robb Jetty Chimney’ Richard Lewis, Ministerial Media statement. 23.08.96

Cowaramup

Australian Abattoirs, Cowaramup, Peel Region, Western Australia 23/06/2013 Leave a comment

Current Operation

  • Closed November 20092

Location              

  • 11km north of Margaret River.

Australia. Cowaramup

Map. Cowaramup

Owner               

  • Western Meat Processors, Director – F.E Lee3
    • General Manager, J Mc Quillan2

Operation

  • Processed Cattle1
  • Employs 452
  • Workers numbers 572

 

History

2005

  • Western Meat Processors begun operations at Cowaramup2

2009

  • March. Expansion worth $750,000, would provide increased slaughter throughput in late 2009.2
  • November 16th. Closed due to plant where carcases were processed destroyed by fire and not other plants available to process meat.2
  • O’Conner Meat factory4.
    • Owned by Western Meat Packers, located in McNeece Place, O’Conner, established 27 years.
    • Owner of O’Conner, Rod Russell also owned lamb processing plant in Osbourne park
    • Employed 300 people.
    • Fire was caused by an electrical fault in an exhaust system, caused $10M damage
    • were processing 2000 head of cattle a week
  • Staff undertook maintenance work until December, when facility was shut down entirely, future work in January would continue maintenance.2

2011

  • Licence issued 3rd February 2011to operate the works prescribed under the Environmental Protection Act. Issued for an extended period of 3 years5
    • Licence #L8036/1993/5. File SWB2063.
    • Category 15:Abattoir
    • Category 55: Livestock saleyard or holding pen

Sources

  1. WAMIA Meat Processors 2013
  2. ‘Cowaramup abattir to remain closed’ Farm Weekly 10.12.09
  3. http://www.mantra.com
  4. ‘Fire causes $10M damage to O’Conner meat factory’ Perth Now. 16.11.09.
  5. Environmental Protection Licence. Government of WA – Dept of Environment and conservation
  6. ‘Abattoir capacity in WA’. Letter by Terry Redman. Minister for Agriculture and Food. 18.03.09