Beef review talks up Onslow export plan

Cattle export facilities in Onslow would offer tangible benefits for producers in the West Pilbara, according to the Northern Beef Infrastructure Review released last week.

The development of infrastructure — including a multi-user Port of Ashburton and Minderoo’s proposed cattle yard and feedlots — have positioned Onslow as one of several export options along the Pilbara coast.

The review, conducted for Northern Beef Futures, found benefits in reduced transport time, improved animal welfare and occupational health and safety, and economic diversification of the West Pilbara economy.

Emu Creek Station manager Darryl Penny said facilities in Onslow would greatly reduce costs and improve incomes for producers south of Karratha.

“Onslow is in the heart of the Pilbara and is an ideal spot to move cattle out without having to put them on a truck and send them 18 to 20 hours south,” he said.

“The major cost for the station at muster time is to get those cattle off the place on trucks.

“They lose so much condition, so much weight on a truck with the stress and all that is costing us.”

Mr Penny estimated cattle were losing about $90 a head in weight loss while they sat on trucks to current ports.

The review noted plenty of work was still to be done, with a business case yet to be completed and funded not secured.

Beef producers from the North West have also taken the chance to head south to gain an insight into the suitability of cattle for a range of markets.

Department of Agriculture and Food WA development officer Lauren Gibson said the trip would help participants identify live export and boxed beef export opportunities.

“The northern beef producers will also consider alternative business models, new integrated supply chains which allow for more diverse marketing opportunities, and'''''' experience a range of technologies and practices being used,” she said.

“Improved knowledge of the meat quality program, Meat Standards Australia, will help them improve the value of their own product.”

Ms Gibson said indigenous pastoral businesses represented an opportunity for WA producers and beef companies to create partnerships to produce long-term, mutually beneficial outcomes.