Expansion proposed
An expansion of the Peppinella Feedlots is under council assessment with a proposal to expand the now 8000 head facility to accommodate up to 12,000 head of beef cattle.
Australian Food and Agriculture was last year given approval to increase its original licence of 5000 cattle to 8000, which was approved by Edward River Council despite objections from neighbouring landholders.
This new development application would give the company the ability to expand again.
The feedlot is also licensed to accommodate up to 15,000 sheep.
During last year’s licensing assessment, neighbouring landholders presented a case against the station’s modification.
Neighbours believe the manure composting pad to be one of the primary sources of the smell they have complained about.
Council’s recommendation was that it be moved 9km away in an effort to reduce its impact on neighbours.
The PASTORAL TIMES contacted nearby landholders who did not wish to comment publicly, however one said efforts to resolve the odour issue had not been effective despite assurances that it would not be a disturbance.
Feedlot manager James Sage said ‘‘detailed’’ assessments have been undertaken for the most recent development application, and ‘‘the results have not identified any adverse impacts to the surrounding area’’.
Peppinella employed eight people when it opened four years ago and has since added six staff, all of which are Deniliquin and Conargo residents.
Mr Sage said if the expansion is approved, the station would employ eight more staff.
He said the business has ‘‘no plans to expand beyond 12,000 head’’ and the proposed $3 million expansion will be of benefit to the local economy.
‘‘As with the initial development, local contractors and suppliers in Deniliquin will be engaged to carry out the work, injecting money directly into the local economy.
‘‘The operation will continue to use local livestock carriers, grain freighters, machinery dealers and contractors with the demand for their services to increase as a direct result of the proposed expansion,’’ Mr Sage said.
He said 30,000 tonnes of grain and 15,000 tonnes of fodder will be required annually from local growers to feed Peppinella’s livestock.
‘‘In simple terms, this expansion from 8000 to 12,000 head will require a 50 per cent increase of locally grown grain and fodder,’’ he said.
‘‘Other local producers who provide cattle backgrounding services to our operation will also benefit through an increase in operation numbers.’’
The feedlot was opened in November 2017, after construction started in 2016.
Peppinella is just one of 18 properties under the AFA umbrella — owned by Colin, Lewis and Andrew Bell — located across
Coonamble, Deniliquin and Hay. As of December 30, the properties ran a combined 15,000 head of cattle, 14,000 stud sheep and 99,000 commercial sheep.
Agriculture in southern and central NSW skyrocketed AFA’s portfolio value to $299.4 million to December 30, 2020 following the breaking of the drought which caused a $2.3 million loss in 2019.