New sheep for Allora
A FORMER Charleville grazier is turning his hand to feedlotting in the Toowoomba region, banking on a resurgence in the south-west sheep industry and the success of exclusion fencing across the state.
Stephen Schmidt, of Schmidt Grazing Industries, has broken ground on a sheep feedlot in his new home of Victoria Hill, near Allora, and expects to be in business before the year is out.
When completed, Victoria Hill will hold up to 16,200 sheep at any given time, and is tipped to be a big job creator in the growing industry.
Its potential as a job maker has been recognised with a $250,000 Regional Economic Development grant from the state government, which are awarded to rural enterprises that bolster local economies.
Mr Schmidt said the new branch of his business in the Toowoomba region will boost jobs not only in its current construction phase, but well in to the future.
“It can create a lot of jobs and a bit of stability in the market,” he said.
“We (sheep feedlots) are a relatively new industry here, and we’re looking forward to setting up relationships with producers and livestock agents to source lambs, and local hay and grain growers to supply feed.
“The primary production value chain will be impacted at all stages: sheep producers, contract mustering, livestock agents, livestock transport companies, vets, grain, hay and silage farmers, freight companies, livestock supplement suppliers, saleyards and abattoirs, meat packagers, butchers and meat wholesalers.”
It will be one of only a few sheep feedlots in the region.