Coronavirus concerns trigger interest in on-farm meat processing

featured image

A pork producer in New South Wales’ main west area states he has actually seen a boost in enquiries about on-farm processing considering that the coronavirus pandemic.

Bottom line:

  • Pork producer states on-farm meat processing is becoming a market benefit
  • There have been more enquiries about mobile abattoirs since the coronavirus pandemic minimized production at Victorian abattoirs
  • Local processing offers farmers greater control over animal well-being and final product

Amazing Pork in Dubbo processes its own cuts of meat for market, instead of sending stock to an abattoir several hours away.

Owner Michael Hicks said it was something more producers had an interest in doing, especially since COVID-19 reduced capability at abattoirs in Victoria.

” Anybody who can simplify that procedure to get the fruit and vegetables to the consumer will definitely be at a benefit for sure.”

He stated, in recent weeks, more manufacturers had been making queries about his set-up and how they may be able to duplicate it.

Mr Hicks said it was a trend that was growing in the industry with farmers able to market on-farm processing to customers.

Michael Hicks at the door of his prototype mobile abattoir on his farm.

Michael Hicks processes his pigs on his farm in the NSW main west, so they no longer have the tension of a trip to a local abattoir.( ABC Rural” Sally Bryant)

More control over animal well-being and supply chain

Mr Hicks stated on-farm processing likewise allowed the manufacturer to have more control over the gentle treatment of animals.

” From an animal welfare viewpoint, it’s as excellent as you can get. It’s certainly among our primary values that we hold here.

” It’s really crucial that we hold the greatest animal welfare standards possible.”

He stated it likewise allowed for more of the pork carcase to be prepared for sale and conserved the logistics of transferring stock to the nearby appropriate abattoir, which was numerous hours away.

Forging ahead regardless of COVID-19, drought.

Meantime, obstacles in the industry have not obstructed plans for an abattoir to be resumed at Coonamble.

The Castlereagh Regional Abattoir has actually not run in 20 years and was recently purchased by 2 businessmen who prepare to resume the plant for livestock, sheep and goats in October.

Supervisor Mark Goodman stated regardless of the dry spell, he was positive there was still sufficient stock going to market to make the business feasible.

” At Coonamble, we might do 250 to 260 a day, and it’s just a great tidy amount.”

” I was at the livestock sale here at Coonamble three weeks ago, and there were 850 head yarded there and if our works were going at the time that definitely would have facilitated our clients.”

Find Out More

https://covid19globalcases.com/coronavirus-concerns-trigger-interest-in-on-farm-meat-processing/

Comments