Toowoomba’s Mort & Co submit application to construct $20 million feedlot facility near Dalby

Australia’s largest privately owned cattle lot feeder has submitted plans to construct a $20 million stockfeeds complex near Dalby, which would create in excess of 20 local jobs.

NEW DEVELOPMENT: Mort and Co Stockfeeds Feed Supplementation Manager Cameron Best with CEO Stephen O'Brien. Picture: Contributed

Australia’s largest privately owned cattle lot feeder has submitted their plans to construct a $20 million stockfeeds complex near Dalby, which would create in excess of 20 local jobs at its capacity.

Mort & Co confirmed it had lodged a Material Change of Use (MCU) with Toowoomba Regional Council this week to construct a multimillion stockfeeds complex at Grassdale Feedlot, located near Dalby and Cecil Plains.

CEO Stephen O’Brien said the plans included the construction of a cottonseed oil plant, supplementary to the site’s existing cottonseed dehulling infrastructure, which integrates into a novel pelletisation and supplement block plant.

At capacity, he said the new venture would employ in excess of 20 full-time equivalent staff.

“Mort & Co’s six year strategy is to double the size of the company and for 20 per cent of gross margin to be derived from businesses that are aligned & complimentary,” Mr O’Brien said.

Mort and Co stockfeeds feed supplementation manager Cameron Best. Picture: Contributed

“Mort & Co Stockfeeds is strategically aligned with our core lot feeding and meat businesses’ growth plans, while also continuing to grow local jobs, back regional communities and support Australian livestock and grain producers.”

Mr O’Brien said the economic impact from this project suggested its construction would support 89 local jobs and 189 positions nationally, as well as a $35 million economic impact locally.

The company’s stockfeeds investment will add value to the existing feedlot operations through further processing of the cottonseed meats, already produced on site.

Mort & Co stockfeeds feed supplementation manager Cameron Best said the plant would unlock the ability to economically transport pellets large distance as far away as the Kimberley region.

“These can then be mixed with local low value hay supplies to formulate the best financial and metabolic result,” he said.

Product sales from Mort & Co Stockfeeds Grassdale facility are anticipated to commence in early 2022.

Originally published as Toowoomba’s Mort & Co submit application to construct $20 million feedlot facility near Dalby