More beef means more jobs for the Darling Downs

Major expansion works at Mort & Co’s beef feedlot in the Darling Downs have now been completed, supported by the Palaszczuk Government’s $175 million Jobs and Regional Growth Fund (JRGF).

Minister for State Development Cameron Dick said Mort & Co’s operation at Grassdale, west of Toowoomba, is now Australia’s largest operational feedlot, with capability to turnoff upwards of 200,000 cattle per annum.

“This is a significant time of growth and innovation for Mort & Co, with 50 new operational jobs already created from their expansion,” Mr Dick said.

“This number well exceeds initial forecasts from the company and will help to further drive economic activity throughout the Darling Downs region.

“Beef processing is one of our state’s largest manufacturing industries, employing around 10,000 Queenslanders, and our government is committed to its continued success.

“We launched our Queensland Beef Processing Strategy 2019-2022 at the Ekka last year, and guided by that framework and investment initiatives like our Jobs and Regional Growth Fund we will keep working to support our beef industry.”

In line with the Grassdale expansion, Mort & Co have brought online their own gas-fired power plant, a move that will allow them to meet their individual power requirements and become a net exporter back into the grid.

Minister for Agricultural Industry Development Mark Furner said Mort & Co are also constructing a new fertiliser pellet manufacturing facility, which is set to be delivered in the first half of this year.

“In a first for the Australian beef industry, Mort & Co will use innovative technologies to convert 60,000 tonnes of manure into high-value granulated fertiliser pellets,” Mr Furner said.

“This process will provide the feedlot with an environmental solution to waste issues, while also generating a new form of revenue for the company.”

Mort & Co Executive Chairman Charlie Mort said the company had a long-standing track record of delivering best practice across all aspects of its business.

“The prolonged drought that’s impacting cattle supply across Queensland and NSW makes it even more imperative that the feedlot industry continues to grow,” Mr Mort said.

“This will ensure a consistent supply of quality products for beef markets, both export and domestic.

Last year Mort & Co received a Premier of Queensland’s Export Award in the category of Agribusiness, Food and Beverages.

Mr Dick said the Mort & Co Grassdale Feedlot expansion adds to a growing list of successful collaborations between state government and regional ag businesses through the Jobs and Regional Growth Fund.

“Mort & Co joins John Dee in Warwick, Qualipac in Inglewood and Swickers in Kingaroy as recent JRGF grant recipients, all of which will benefit greatly from the soon-to-be-built Regional Trade Distribution Centre at Wellcamp Airport,” he said.

“The Palaszczuk Government will keep investing in Queensland regional businesses to help them build their trade and export capabilities, and to create more jobs.

Learn more about the Palaszczuk Government’s Jobs and Regional Growth Fund.

ENDS

Media contact: Ben Doyle 0400 775 561