End of an era for Cootamundra abattoir

Woolworths has traditionally been a major client of the Cootamundra abattoir, with the cessation of this relationship marking the end of an era and prompting questions about the future of what is Cootamundra’s largest employer. 

Back in 2010, it was known that if anyone purchased a boneless leg of lamb or a French rack of lamb from a Woolworths supermarket anywhere in NSW, the cut had been processed in Cootamundra.

The split was confirmed by a spokesperson for Manildra Meat Company this afternoon, with the same spokesperson providing hope for the future saying the decision would provide the company with the opportunity to expand their domestic and export business.

“Manildra Meat Company’s capital investment projects continue which allows us to expand our brand range and markets,” the spokesperson said. 

While the spokesperson did not comment on what the changes to kill numbers or staff levels may look like come December, they did say Manildra Meat Company would continue to assess staffing levels “in line with seasonal demands and industry challenges”.

It is understood a number of redundancies have been offered at the plant recently. 

The split between Manildra Meat Company and Woolworths follows a contraction of the plant’s beef line earlier this year due to increasing cattle prices on farm and in the saleyards. 

In early September, Manildra Meat Company director Peter Millard confirmed the plant was reducing beef production throughput at the Cootamundra plant “due to seasonal challenges including the availability and continuity of cattle supply”.

This came on the back of cattle prices reaching upwards of $7/kg carcass weight (CW) at the time. 

Despite this, Mr Millard maintained the committment of the plant to Cootamundra, telling the Cootamundra Herald in late September “We are dedicated to the community of Cootamundra and long-term future expansion of our plant and production”.

The plant also has a goat processing line.

According to the Manildra Meat Company website, the Cootamundra multi-species plant has the capacity to process 4000 small stock and 600 head of cattle per day with export access to 160 countries including Asia, the Middle East, Northern America and Pacific Islands.

Manildra Meat Company purchased the plant in 2014 from GM Scott following the death of the late Barry Noble in December 2012.

 Mr Noble had established GM Scott in the early 1980s.