Producer members supplying the WA Meat Marketing Cooperative will be paid another significant pool bonus for the their prime lambs and mutton, - on top of more buoyant returns for their stock during the year.

WAMMCO CEO Coll MacRury said his directors had agreed that the 2015 pool bonus would be 40 c/kg on lambs and 20c/kg on mutton, paid to producer members in August.

“The 2015 bonus is slightly below the record payment we made last year, but it is balanced by an average price for lamb that is 12 percent higher this year than 2013/14 and 36 percent up on mutton.

“The 2014/15 pool bonus will take the total payout to members over the past three years to about $9million.”

Mr MacRury said WAMMCO had grown from scratch in mid 1999 to become Australia’s sole cooperative of lamb and sheep producers and one of the nation’s leading processor/exporters of lamb and sheepmeats, with just over 1,000 producer members all based in WA.

“Our export processing plants at Katanning WA., and Southern Meats at Goulburn NSW, have again produced around two million lamb and sheep units over the past 12 months, enabling us to service premium global markets, especially in North America, the Middle East and Europe. 

“More and more we are seeing the benefits of being owned by producers in a highly competitive market where consumers seek not only quality but also identity in their products.

“Directors have recognised the increasing role of technology in maintaining viable returns to their producer suppliers, with approvals for a new $11.2 million freezer complex to be completed at Katanning in early 2016, and a $5.8 million chiller/boning room upgrade nearing completion at Goulburn.”

He envisaged that whilst world lamb and mutton demand was expected to remain firm over the next 12 months, there would be ongoing pressures on costs and market prices, with further volatility in the currency.

Concern had recently also been expressed by forecaster Meat and Livestock Australia that the national sheep flock was again in serious decline, in the wake of another high turn-off of sheep at peak prices.

Another challenge was emerging in the domestic market with the arrival of major newcomers like Costco and Aldi expected to reshape the local beef and lamb scene, as well as chicken and pork.

Further details: Coll MacRury 0409 371 295