Poultry processing has commenced at the long-awaited micro abattoir in Barham.
In the milestone event, 130 Sommerlad chickens were processed by the facility.
The chickens belong to Lauren Mathers from Barham’s Bundarra Farm, an advocate for ethical farming practices.
Mrs Mathers, who was a founding member of the committee which set up the abattoir, is thrilled with the new local option, noting the significant reduction in transport stress on her birds.
"Being able to process my chickens just down the road, instead of driving all the way to Melbourne, is a huge relief - not just for me, but most importantly, for the animals," she said.
This close proximity ensures that the slow-growing, pasture-raised, heritage-breed Sommerlad chickens experience much less stress, resulting in even better-quality meat for customers.
Murray Plains Meat Cooperative is now open for business, in poultry processing, and is working towards full licensing for other types of meats.
The cooperative also welcomes its new operations manager Steve Wilkie, who brings a wealth of experience to the role, ensuring that the facility operates to the highest standards of quality and efficiency.
“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for me, and it is something I have been wanting to do for a long time,” said Mr Wilkie, who has been based in Swan Hill.
“I’ve worked in abattoirs all over Australia and that has given me a lot of experience in seeing the different ways processing facilities can be run.
“It is the second multi-species facility I will have worked in, the first being in Bunbury, Western Australia, where we processed beef, lambs, pigs, deer, buffalo, yaks, rabbits - they did everything.”
Growing up on a dairy and beef farm, Mr Wilkie said the sale of the family farm saw his career aspirations take an unexpected turn. But he has loved working in the industry.
“I love what I do and enjoy working with farmers.
“Over the years, I have built a great reputation for quality, and that’s what we will offer here.
“Our aim is to help producers have somewhere to have their animals processed and know they are getting a quality job.
“It will give them better access to consumers and provide local employment.”
Far from the 12,000 lambs or 1000 cattle a day of the large facilities Mr Wilkie has worked in, the micro abattoir will run with just Wilkie and two other slaughtermen on the processing floor.
Wilkie will undertake his meat inspector certification in the near future.
Murray Plains Meat Cooperative has contracted Kate Redfearn to assist with the administration and formulation of internal business structures and processes until administration staff can be recruited.
Val Azzopardi had also been employed to undertake maintenance at the facility.
The recent approval of a poultry processing licence from the Department of Primary Industries saw the facility start processing chooks in mid-October.
A red meat licensing audit is scheduled to take place by November 3.
For more information on processing services or to inquire about bookings, please contact Murray Plains Meat Cooperative on info@murrayplainsmeat.com.au.