Constantly changing meat supply, demand during COVID forces producers to recoup losses

Many small businesses on the Southern Downs reporting being forced to swallow hefty profit losses and expenses during lockdown periods, with the uncertainty of COVID impacting their future.

The region’s small produers are the most vulnerable during times of uncertainty as they rely on other businesses to supply stock to.

Southern Downs small businesses in the meat lifecycle say they are at breaking point as they struggle to recoup their losses following lockdown.

Stanthorpe BOSS Meats owner Greg Paterson said he was left with excess stock during the lockdown as the restaurants he supplies to in Brisbane went into lockdown.

“We ended up with freezers full of stock that we had paid for but can’t get rid of,” he said.

Mr Paterson said it is small businesses that feel the effects of snap lockdowns the most.

“Big companies manage to get away unharmed but it breaks small businesses and we are forced to recoup losses,” he said.

Randal and Juanita Breen of Echo Valley Farm have been significantly challenged during COVID, with the supply and demand for beef and pork forever changing. Photo: NRM Staff

The lockdown restrictions have also affected producers in the Southern Downs like Echo Valley Farm, as owner Randal Breen said managing the business during COVID has been a “challenge”.

“We are the most vulnerable as our reliance is on other businesses who we supply to,” he said.

After lockdown Mr Breen increased his farm’s production to cater for the increased demand for pork and beef, but when restrictions were reinstated there was plenty of animals but no buyers.

“It takes 12 months to grow out a cow to be ready to produce meat, so when the market changes we don’t slaughter them and instead they stay in the paddock and continue to grow,” he said.

Pigs at Echo Valley Farm in Goomburra.

While being able to hold livestock and have it not go to waste is a benefit, Mr Breen said it was costly.

“Over the past 18 months it's been pretty exhausting trying to shift with the changing tide and come up with different production plans, especially given the erratic nature of the COVID process,” he said.

Mr Breen said this “turbulence” has really pushed himself and wife Juanita to re-evaluate their farming system and how they can best manage the business going forward.