![]() ![]() Southern Cross’s new large volume stationary mixer feeding out to new feed delivery truck at the yard. Southern Cross has stayed with tempering for grain processing – the primary consideration being the poor access to energy in the region, and the growing energy costs associated with steamflakers. At the same time the liquid feeding system has been automated, and grain storage and soaking capacity expanded to cater for larger volume. Part of that has seen the earlier installation of a second, 24 x 48 inch roller mill and a move to larger-capacity stationary mixers, with feed trucks now primarily used for delivery of the pre-mixed rations, rather than mixing them. In line with the growth in pen capacity, the yard has seen multiple stages of expansion in the feed mill to keep pace with the growing demand for mixed ration – which will reach 450 tonnes a day when all the new pens are full. “We think really highly of the quality of cattle on our doorstep, and we’re really lucky that they’re not far away,” feedlot general manager Tom Green said. Feeder intake, when the yard gets to full capacity, will be around 1500 head per week. The yard previously fed a large domestic supermarket contract for Woolworths, but that has been discontinued, now focussing entirely on supporting the TFI branded beef business and vertically integrated supply chain.įeeder cattle are sourced from a wide area of southern and eastern Australia, with the primary focus being the southeast of South Australia and Victoria’s Western Districts. About 90pc of the cattle on feed are Angus.Īround 25pc of the inventory is fed 200-270 days, with the balance 120-150 days, giving an average days-on-feed across the yard of around 180 days – considerably longer than programs seen earlier times. The yard is entirely devoted to TFI-owned cattle, feeding mostly mid and longfed programs (150-270 days), both EU and non-EU. The inclusion of TFI Southern Cross on this year’s Top 25 list highlights expansion in lotfeeding operations in South Australia in recent times, joining the Rowe family’s Princess Royal and Tungali feedlots (Top 25 No 13, click here to view earlier story) and Midfield’s operations its Wanderriby feedlot near Meningie, bought in 2021 (currently 8000 head).Īs part of TFI’s expansion at Southern Cross, the yard was earlier this month advertising for pen riders and other staff, as grainfeeding operations at the site gather pace. From its original 3500 head capacity, feeding mostly domestic steers and heifers, the yard has grown in several stages, jumping to 15,000 with TFI’s capital injection in 2015-16, before doubling again in the latest expansion to its licensed capacity of 30,000 head. The original yard was established 30 years ago by the Vogt family, which entered into a joint venture with TFI in 2015, and later sold their share. The first run of new pens are now being filled for the first time.įormerly known as Iranda Beef, the feedlot underwent a name change to align with TFI’s surrounding Southern Cross grazing property aggregation. The feedyard is in the final weeks of completing expansion out to 30,000 head. ![]() Greatly expanded beef processing capacity through Murray Bridge will be partly serviced by a consistent supply of high quality grainfed cattle out of the company’s Southern Cross feedlot, located only an hour’s drive away. The site will re-start operations in coming months, after completing construction at a new greenfield site 10km from the original site that was lost to fire. ![]() Many readers will remember that TFI’s Murray Bridge abattoir was destroyed by fire back in January 2018. IT IS no coincidence that Thomas Foods International is completing expansion at its Southern Cross feedlot near Tintinara in South Australia – just in time for the re-opening of the company’s state-of-the-art Murray Bridge beef processing plant. New pens being constructed in the foreground at TFI’s Southern Cross feedlot in SA this year, with the original feeding pens in the background. ![]()
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