THE closure of Queensland's biggest sheep and goat processing plant at Wallangarra nearly a year ago was one of the first signs of the national flock shortage which has dragged several processors to a halt.
The plant owner, South Australian based Thomas Food International, cited the same challenges currently hurting southern operations with low stock numbers and inflated livestock prices.
“Without a doubt it has been a hell of a loss having the major outlet taken away,” Elders Warwick livestock manager Olly Gray said.
The neighbouring Tenterfield, NSW, community is still reeling from job losses after the closure of Wallangarra Meatworks which once had 260 staff on the books.
Devastatingly it is now the Cootamundra community that are dealing with the 150 permanent and 70 casual staff job losses announced last week from the closure of Manildra Meat Company.
Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union (AMIEU) understand a number of plants are “suffering” with the potential of further closures and job losses.
“(Meatworkers) are nervous - their hours are being cut back in regional areas where jobs are scarce,” AMIEU federal president Patricia Fernandez said.
“(Further closures) are possible. We are seeing a downturn in the hours of work offered to staff because there is just not enough stock to put through the system.”
Ms Fernandez suggested a brake on live exports to increase processing demand within Australia.
“While there is a live export trade this will continue,” she said.
“In Cootamundra… Manildra is the largest employer but come Monday these people don’t have job.
“In some cases, entire families’ whole income has been wiped out.”