It’s already among Australia’s largest feedlots but the Grassdale Feedlot, near Dalby, is about to get much bigger after the Toowoomba Regional Council approved its expansion proposal on Wednesday evening.
Currently the feedlot has a capacity of 47,952 standard cattle units (SCU) with each unit equivalent to a 600kg beast.
Grassdale Feedlot is owned by Mort and Co, and once stage three of the development is complete it will accommodate 70,000 SCU.
The Grassdale expansion is expected to be in the vicinity of $20 to $25 million of capital expenditure.
Once operating at 70,000 SCU, the increased numbers will give further security in the supply of grain finished cattle to the processing sector.
Toowoomba Regional Council’s Cr Chris Tail, who is the chair of the Planning and Development Committee, said the approval was given and it is a positive for primary industry in the region.
“It is positive for the beef industry and other primary producers who supply the crops needed,” Cr Tait said
“It will provide all the benefits to the region as an intensive animal industry supporting 70,000 SCU’s.”
Grassdale Feedlot was built in 2007 and utilises state-of-the-art feeding and cattle handling facilities.
Queensland Country Life has contacted Mort & Co for comment.