Tag Archives: Tasmania abattoirs

Cygnet

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

Other Names

  • Cradoc Hill
  • Cradoc Blue Hill abattoir

Current Operation

  • Currently operating at time of writing 03.01.2014

Location   

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

Australia. Cygnet

CygnetHema Maps – Australia Truckies atlas.

Owner

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

Operation   

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

History

2009

  • Cygnet is featured in the ‘Gourmet Farmer’ SBS series with local producer Mathew Evans3
  • In reference to Cygnet abattoir and  taking two of his pigs to be slaughtered there3

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

2011

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

2013

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

logo _edited-1Source – Cradoc Hill website – Logo used to promote products to Interstate markets.

meat selections _edited-1Source – Cradoc Hill website – Example of meat cuts offered in a box sale being offered direct to door of customers through website sales.

meat selections _edited-2Source – Cradoc Hill website – Example of meat cuts offered in a box sale

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

Huon valley logo _edited-1Source – Huon Valley Meats website – Logo used to promote products local markets.

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

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

Sources

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

Cooee

Australian Abattoirs, Cooee, Tasmania 29/12/2013 Leave a comment

Cooee was a very small service kill abattoir located Tasmania, fire caused its closure in 2012 affecting many small producers who would follow the complete process of their animals treatment through to packing.

Other Names

  • Cooee Point

Current Operation

  • Closed – fire burnt processing and packing facility in 20121

Location   

  • Cooee is on the western end of the north coast of Tasmania.1

Australia. Cooee

CooeeHema Maps – Australia Truckies atlas.

Owner

  • Wendy Gee1

Operation   

  • A small service kill and processing, packing facility for local producers1
  • Processed pigs, lambs and cattle1
  • Employed 6 people1

History

1992

  • facility had been in operation before this time1

2012

  • January. Extensive fire damage to facility occured.1
  • 90% of the commercial cattle in the area were processed at Devonport abattoir (Tas) but Cooee had a solid local following1
    • facility is used by smaller producers to kill, butcher and pack their meat.2
    • Producers were able to watch the animal processed right throughout2
  • Fire thought to be suspicious1
  • June. Wendy Gee will offer services at a butchery in Terrylands, Animals are killed at Devonport abattoir (Tas) approximately 50km away, then transferred to Terrylands for processing.3

Sources

  1. ‘Fire razes North-west abattoir’ The Examiner 22.01.2012
  2. ‘Cooee abattoir fire forces producers to assess their options’ ABC Country Hour. 23.01.2012
  3. ‘Abattoir owner back in business’ The Advocate. 17.06.2012

Cressy. #19. Tas.

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

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

Other Names

  • Tasmanian Quality Meats

Current Operation

  • Currently operating at time of writing December 2013.

Location   

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

Australia. Cressy

CressyHema Maps – Australia Truckies atlas.

Owner

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

Operation

  • Processes and send lambs to export3

ABC rural sheep photo_edited-1Source ABC Rural ‘ Stopping Sheep disease..” 16.09.2013

  • Skins salted and sold3

School Salted skins_edited-1Source – Agricultural studies school visit abattoir. – Salted skins being packed.

  • non-meat body parts processed into fertiliser3
  • Employs 70 people3

Other abattoirs in Australia

Go to this link to view Location of Australian Abattoirs

abattoirs_edited-1   

History of Cressy #19.

1997

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

2001

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

2003

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

2004

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

2010

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

2011

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

2012

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

2013

  • January. Processing 9,000 units per week6
    • processing all of Tasmania’s bobby calf production6
    • 1,000 lambs processed and shipped to Brisbane under Royal Reserve brand6

    ABC rural photo carcases_edited-1Source – ABC Rural ‘Stopping sheep…’ 16.09.2013

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

Logo_edited-1Source:‘National Exporter award to Tasmania Quality Meats’ Beef Central 27.11.2013
Tasmania Quality meats Logo.

2017

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

 

Sources

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

King Island

Australian Abattoirs, King Island, Tasmania 17/06/2013 Leave a comment

Updated 28th Dec. 2013. King Island is located in Bass Strait off the North western tip of Tasmania, midway between Tasmania and Victoria. It is approximately an area of 1098km2. Abattoir is currently closed

Current Operation

  • Closed September 20121

Location

     Australia. King Island 

Map - King Island 001 Source – Hema Maps. Australia Truckies Atlas     

Owner

  • JBS (Australian subsidiary)(2008), operates 11 facilities in Australia, world’s biggest meat producer – chief Executive Andre Nogueira4
    • JBS operates another plant on Tasmania mainland – Longford abattoir (Tas)9
    • also own and operate Devonport (Tas)20.( not yet added to blog)

 Operation

  • 70workers2
  • 100 Workers1
  • 105 workers, Island only has population less than 20004
  • Could process 800 head a week7
  • “JBS Australia’s facility is the only meat processing plant on the island and production is only limited by the availability of animals” JBS website accessed 13.11.2013.13
  • Daily processing capacity – 180 head13

 abattoir - ABC. photo_edited-1Source – Tasmania Times Article ‘States $12M fails to save abattoir’ 10.09.2012
King Island abattoir facilities – photo 2012.

History

2002

  • SBA Foods sell to Tasman Group Services – $25M34
    • Includes King Island34
    • Altona abattoir – Melbourne (currently mothballed) – been closed for last 2 years34
      • Past 4 years had $10M spent on improving beef slaughter chain, chiller and boning facilities34
    • Yambinya feedlot – Wakool, Deniliquin.34
    • Tasman Group already owned – Brooklyn abattoir – gutted by fire June 2001 and still closed in 2002.34

2003

  • October. King Island receive 600 head from Tasmanian feedlot32
    • King Island currently only operating 3 days week32

2005

  • King Island Industrial agreement 2005 registered (T12142 of 2005)38
    • AMIEU Tasmania branch/Tasman Group Services trading as King Island abattoir compass recruitment38

2007

  • AC Nielson Poll showed King Island brand logo was the most recognised beef brand in Australia15

logo _edited-1Source – www.kingisland.net.au. Logo as used currently, sourced 28.12.13.

2008

  • JBS Purchase7
    • Asset purchase included brand identity ‘King Island beef’15
  • JBS purchased as part of Tasman group when entered Australia with acquitsition of AMH19
    • Tasman Group consists of abattoirs in Tasmania – Longford, Devonport and King Island33
      • Tasman group 3 abattoirs in Tasmania including King Island and 3 in Victoria.33
      • JBS paid $US150M33
    • JBS also purchased Smithfield Group $US565M33
      • Has four abattoirs33
    • JB also purchase National Beef $US560M33
      • Has three abattoirs33
      • 2 meat processing facilities33

2009

  • April.Closed for one week, 100 workers stood down without pay5
    • Producers not informed of closure until it actually happened35
      • Some producers had only ever sold every animal they produced to abattoir for last 20 years35
      • some producers selling culls to abattoir but better quality to competitors – Some received $180 more delivered at feedlot on mainland Tasmania than at abattoir on King Island35
      • King Island abattoir wasn’t always getting premium meat going through35
      • Competition from buyers supports prices but too many cattle leaving island undermines abattoir.35
  • JBS citing structural issues with factory and yield issues35
    • Power on King Island is twice price as mainland Tasmania and 3 times price in Melbourne35
      • Power was costing 25c/kw hour37
      • Government had installed renewable energy project on King Island $45M – covered two thirds of Islands power needs.37
    • Effluent disposal needs to be improved35
      • King Island is only recouping $35 per head offal, other plants $70-$8035
    • freight subsidy given to producers for live animals leaving the island made JBS uncompetitive in cattle purchasing.35
      • Federal subsidy doesn’t cover exports – offal and hides is exports35
  • Govt negotiated with JBS to reopen plant5
    • Government agreed to underwrite company losses for couple of months35
  • Govt will reimburse the company for losses it may incur over the review period (8 weeks)as a direct result of reopening the facility, JBS Swift undertake a review of their operations and cost structures during that time5
    • all employees reinstated on full pay23
  • December.$12M – 15 year loan from Gov to JBS, to facilitate significant capital investment program by JBS6
  • Loan to support  capital investment program worth $14M, allow company to upgrade facilities and improve operational efficiency6

 “This money will secure the establishment of a world-class processing facility in King Island and ensure its ongoing viability” Tasmanian Premier John Bartlett6

  • Loan was repaid in full22
    • Government have first option to buy because of loan22
    • loan repaid in full days before decision was made to permanently shut the business down
  • Producers set up fighting fund to protect industry brand  – padi $1 a head levy cattle processed at island’s abattoir to ensure only beef produced and processed locally was branded ‘King Island Beef’15

2012  

  • July. Livestock ship Mathew Flinders runs aground with 300 cattle on board.36
    • allegations meat workers tampered with propellor36
  • September. “Despite investing millions of dollars into upgrading, the Tasmanian abattoir has never been profitable since his company purchased it’ John Berry CEO JBS.2
  • JBS has cited high freight and operating costs and variable livestock supply as reasons for the closure and is in talks with the 70 employees of the abattoir about redeployment2
    • Cited number of reasons of closure including power and energy costs20
    • Costs in terms of utilities and domestic and export freight costs as key reasons21
    • Increase in Australian dollar21
    • leakage of cattle to processing plants in northern Tasmania28
      • local price often less than other works – producers shipped stock live to mainland Tasmania28
      • King Island abattoir only had capacity to process two thirds of animals produced each year35
      • JBS can process 900 King Island cattle in Melbourne in less than one day at fraction of cost of processing in King Island35
      • Smithton abattoir (Tas) alway sourced 12,000 – 13,000 head of cattle from King Island and had done each year 2008-201331
  • Closure was total surprise to producers who had supplied and working with management to improve efficencies14
    • Livestock immediately devalued by $100 per head.28
  • JBS has welcomed producers processing animals at their Longford abattoir (Tas)14
  • Additional costs to transport to Longford is expected to be $70/hd14
  • TFGA (Tasmanian producer organisation) urgently calling on government to address red and green tape which is making business in Tasmania and Bass Strait so costly, including crippling costs of freight14
  • October.JBS refuse to sell or lease the vacant facility3.
  • Tasmanian government pledges $80,000 to determine whether a new abattoir on the island would be feasible3
  • Costs producers $10 head to transport to abattoir on the Island, will cost $110 to transport to Longford, on mainland Tasmania, South of Launceston3
  • JBS offer a community development scheme – $60,000 – $80,000 a year.24
    • JBS want to retain 50% of Islands annual beef turnoff to continue production of King Island beef brand24
    • Scheme administered by a local committee and JBS staff – $3 per head sold to Devonport or Longford plants on mainland Tasmania24
    • Scheme will be paid on a monthly basis.24
  • JBS had injected $100M into King Island economy during 4 year ownership of abattoir24
  • JBS met with community for protecting and continued use of King Island beef brand from other abattoirs24
    • farm assurance scheme – involves segregation of livestock in transit24

2013 

  • February. Formally Closed. Not opening after regular 6 week break. Closed without warning.8
  • Citing – high cost of doing business on a remote island, rising power prices, uncertainty of cattle numbers and transport logistics. More expensive to export box of beef to mainland than to overseas8
    • 80 jobs lost
    • Worth about $3.5M in wages to local economy28
    • Employed four out of 5 islanders29
  • Half of labour, employed seasonal Korean students and NZ workers as only operated a few days a week and locals shunned irregular part-time work8
  • May. Effect on community29
    • Businesses suffered downturn of 5% up to 50% in sales29
    • Multi-species abattoir committee29
      • look at processing bobby calves, sheep.29
      • Local consumption use of product29
      • Wallabies are major problem on King Island – look into processing them29
      • seeking a government grant of $400,000 to put towards small multi species abattoir on island29
  • June. Feasibility study released and found that a new abattoir could be built on King Island for $30M8.
    • Tasmanian Government commissioned report in Sept. 2012.8
    • $48,000 study conducted by Felix Domus consulting.9
    • Report says abattoir capable of processing 40,000 head, cattle.8
    • Most of Island producers would need to fully commit to supplying the abattoir to succeed.8
    • 75% of King Island producers would need to commit, with a reliable supply of 39,000 head a year10
    • 31,400 cattle processed would cover costs and make 6% profit of $840,000 per year25
    • 39,000 cattle would enable profit $1.9M25
    • prior to closure 800 young cattle were being processed a week, remaining 12,000 shipped to Longford abattoir (Tas), Devonport abattoir, Smithton abattoir (Tas)25
      • Average King Island abattoir throughput was 28,000 head annually28
    • King Island beef needs to be better marketed – especially to high end retailers and restaurants10
  • Feasibility study of King Island abattoir proposal attached
  • Another processor located on Tasmania mainland at Smithton abattoir (Tas), operated by Greenhams, Producers are paying $112 per head to send cattle from King Island to mainland9
  • “The associated brand new multi-million dollar producer and taxpayer funded effluent plant remains unavailable for use” Tasmanian Greens MP. Paul O’Halloran11
  • JBS, who own Longford abattoir (Tas) on the mainland threaten to close it down if another abattoir is built on KI. Saying that not receiving cattle from KI would hurt its business at Longford12
    • JBS – John Berry denied making this claim, saying Tasmanian Greens MP Paul O’Halloran had raised it as a possibility in State parliament11
  • July. ACCC had considered investigating why JBS refused to sell King Island – ACCC won’t carry out investigation as “The act does not apply to a company that merely holds an asset and takes no action in relation to that asset” ACCC statement26
  • September. Subsidy is offered by government for frieght of live cattle to Tasmania.16
    • King Island package – $1.246M for 12 months, one-off short term response to significant shock experienced due to abattoir closure17

    “Package is intended to assist producers to transition to a new model that involves off-island transport to mainland Tasmanian processors for slaughter” Minister Bryan Green – Tasmanian Primary Industries minister.17

    • Sole freight service for King Island – Searoad Shipping and Logistics – do a triangular service from Melbourne, Devonport and then Port of Grassy (King Island)25
    • Current vessel Mersey capacity of 4000t could be put out of commission for newer larger vessels.25
    • Larger vessels can’t dock at Port Grassy25
    • King island import all fuel and would require export beef.25

    boat for transport #3_edited-1Source – ABC Rural ‘ King Island freight Subsidy’ 17.09.2013Barge that transports cattle from King Island to mainland Tasmania

boat for transport #2_edited-1Source ABC Rural ‘King Island freight subsidy’ 17.09.2013

Open deck of barge used to transport King Island cattle to mainland

  • Problems with shipping on Bass strait due to severe wind conditions29
    • If the swell is large the ship can damage the wharf.29
    • Situations when cattle are waiting to be loaded but had to be taken back to properties due to dangerous swell.29
  • Freight subsidy covers only one third cost of freight16
    • Equivalent to $30 per head transported17
    • King Island local producers are struggling after abattoir shut down.16
    • Flinders Island has no freight subsidy – boat ride from Flinders Island to mainland Tasmania – 8 hours, costs $65 after Tasmanian Freight Equalisation scheme17
  • Freight subsidy could be sliding scale – $26 into Stanley, $30 into Devonport27
    • would act as disincentive to increase freight efficency27
  • Actual costing of freight30
    • King Island to Tasmania – $154.30/head30
    • Tasmania to Victoria – $111.5530
      • Authors note – these costings were done May 2008.
    • Difference $42.75 – Victorian abattoirs on occasion have processed King Island cattle.30
  • $300,000 public wharf upgrade was funded by Tas Ports, LD shipping and Smithton abattoir (Tas) operated by Greenhams.27
  • New operation has saved 7 hours off transport time for King Island cattle to Smithton abattoir (Tas) abattoirs. (Compared to delivery to Devonport)27
  • Port Stanley upgrades completed, closest port to Smithton travel by ship takes 7 hours.31
    • King Island to Bernie port delivery takes 12 hours.31
    • Stanley port upgraded due to investment by Smithton31
      • Smithton will source 12,000 -13,000 King Island cattle each year31
      • Ships travelling 3-4 times a week, carrying 240 head each sail.31
  • JBS “Company is still pleased with its decision to close (King Island)” John Berry. JBS director16
    • Islands King Island and Flinders supply 200-450 head cattle a week, higher in spring run.19
      • King Island supplies 20% of the States beef herd29
      • Some producers sending cattle at 300kg on boat to feedlots in Tasmania to grow animals out to 600kg.28
      • 1,000 – 1,500 animals can’t be shipped – will be shot on island28
      • Bobby/Veal calves can’t be sent as too young,29
    • Longford process 450 cattle a day – 4 day week roster.19
  • November. ACCC charge a Victorian Butcher, Hooker Meats Pty Ltd $50,000 for using King Island logo15
    • King Island 140 beef farmers fought many years to protect regional brand reputation.15
    • There are manufacturers of King Island rabbit – King Island has no rabbits35
    • There are manufacturers of King Island wine – King Island has no vineyards.35
    • National food do producer and market King Island cheese.35
  • December. Tasmania to receive Farm Finance Package18
    • Last state to do so and halved from original allocation to reallocate funds to drought stricken QLD producers18
    • Funding $15M, Loans up to $650,000, interest rate initially at 4.5% and interest only payments for up to 5 years18
    • Available for debt restructuring and mitigate impact of tough seasonal conditions.18
    • Producers not happy with allocation – “It’s become difficult to farm over here during the past 20 years” David Amos. Swansea sheep producer.18

 

Sources

  1. ‘King Island mounts facebook defence’ Weekly Times 10.10.12
  2. ‘King Island Abattoir to close’ ABC rural. 10.09.12
  3. ‘King Island abattoir plan’ Weekly Times 30.10.13
  4. ‘Famed beef producer King Island has closed its only abattoir’ Meat Trade News daily 13.09.12
  5. ‘Swift’s King Island abattoir reopens’AFN  03.04.09
  6. ‘King Island Beef brand to live in with abattoir rescue package’ AFN 23.12.09
  7. ‘King hit to abattoir leaves island in shock’ The Australian 23.02.13
  8. ‘Study finds new King Island abattoir viable’ ABC News 18.06.13.
  9. ‘Support for KI meatworks’ The Mercury. 18.06.13.
  10. http://www.kingisland.tas.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/KIAFSG%20final%20report%2017%20Jun.pdf
  11. ‘Abattoir closure claims unfounded’ The Land. 27.06.13
  12. ‘Abattoir closure warning’ http://www.themercury.com.au  26.06.2013
  13. http://www.jbsswift.com.au
  14. ‘Abattoir closure devastates King Island farmers’ http://www.tfga.com.au
  15. ‘ACCC swoops on King Island beef brand claims’ Beef Central 13.11.2013
  16. ‘Abattoir closure continues to bite’ ABC News 14.09.13.
  17. ‘Flinders farmers seek gaurantee’ Stock and Land. 21.11.2013
  18. ‘Reduced Farm finance share open for Tas” Stock and Land 20.12.13
  19. ‘Expansion plans ahead for JBS Longford – One of Australia’s most versatile meat plants’ Beef Central 18.10.13.
  20. ‘States $12M fails to save abattoir’ Tasmanian Times 10.09.12
  21. Parliment Hansard. Richard Colbeck. 10.09.2012
  22. ‘Jobs in balance as abattoir closes’ ABC News. 11.09.12
  23. ‘King Island abattoir set to reopen’ Stockjournal 27.05.2009
  24. ‘Australia – JBS Australia abattoir on the King Island’ Meat trade News daily. 14.10.2012
  25. ‘Tasmania looks into new abattoir for King Island’ http://www.fullyloaded.com.au 18.06.2013
  26. ‘ACCC says no to King Island abattoir inquiry’ ABC news. 13.07.2013.
  27. ‘King Island freight subsidy fight’ ABC rural. 17.09.2013
  28. ‘Cattle Stranded’ ABC Landline 18.11.2012
  29. ‘King Island Beef farmers battle their own live export crisis’ The world today 31.05.2013
  30. ‘Tasmania Freight subsidy reforms’ Letter Grant Ryan. 01.05.2008
  31. ‘Port of Stanley ready to receive cattle ships’ The Advocate. 04.07.2013.
  32. ‘Tasman services fulfill final payouts’ The Examiner 23.10.2003
  33. ‘Big beef producer cuts deal with Tasman Group’ The Age 06.03.2008
  34. ‘SBA foods sell to Tasman Group Services’ Stock and Land 19.03.2002
  35. ‘Long Live the King’ ABC Landline 11.05.2009
  36. ‘King Island meat company’ AMIEU Tasmania 09.07.2012
  37. ‘Power costs short circuited JBS’ Nth QLD register. 11.09.2012
  38. http://www.tic.tas.gov.au. 04.07.2005
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