Nesco Meats is hoping a smaller-sized multi-species slaughter plant will reap big benefits for its producer owners.
Lorne Thomson, who is co-ordinating the launch of the new slaughter and processing centre in Melfort, Sask., said the focus is on creating a network between grower, retailer and consumer.
It will provide slaughter facilities for numerous species of livestock, including organic, and will be EU eligible, Canadian Food Inspection Agency inspected and organic certified.
“Just to go into business to compete against large packing houses makes no sense at all; we have to be different and do things they are not doing,” Thompson said, including customizing cuts and products to meet market needs.
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Premiums that retailers pay for such specialized meat products would be returned to the producer, Thomson added.
He hopes to find uses for culled animals and secondary cuts and offer new cut options that are available overseas but not in Canadian stores.
“Because of our small size, we can be fairly flexible and meet the needs of the market.”
The $12 million plant is expected to employ more than 40 workers when operational next year. Construction will begin on the 18-acre site this July. Thomson said the plant will have access to good roads, power, water and lagoons.
He expects the plant to process up to 35,000 cattle and 5,000 buffalo a year when operational, as well as other species such as elk.
The plant could also play a role in keeping more livestock, feed barley and local labour closer to home.
“If we keep it all here and save on transportation costs, that goes into producer’s pockets,” Thomson said.
“A value-added enterprise in the region will benefit a lot of places, not just Melfort.”
The recent BSE crisis and lack of slaughter facilities in the area were among reasons for launching the plant. The closest slaughter plant is in Moose Jaw.
Thomson Meats in Melfort shut its kill floor in 1991 and has since been marketing specialty products into overseas markets.
Thomson hoped Thomson Meats would complement the new plant by processing cuts prepared at Nesco.
Nesco Meats, a corporation that includes livestock producer shareholders from across Saskatchewan, hopes to make more shares available in the coming year, he added.
