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Photo: whatsoninvers.nz
Alliance Group is to transfer its venison operations from Makarewa to a major new deer processing facility at its Lorneville plant, near Invercargill.
Alliance Chief Executive David Surveyor says the development, which has been facilitated by the sale of land at Makarewa, confirms the co-operative’s commitment to the New Zealand deer industry.
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“This is a new, world-class facility that will result in a more than 30 percent reduction in our deer processing costs,” says Mr Surveyor. “It demonstrates not only our commitment to the deer industry but that Alliance is delivering on strategy to continue investing in the future, reduce cost basis, ensure world-class facilities and reinforce our role as a leader in efficient processing.”
The new processing facility is expected to be operational for the new processing season in July 2017, with all deer processing set to continue at the nearby site at Makarewa in the meantime.
“We do not expect the change is to result in any job losses and all employees will be offered roles at the nearby Lorneville Plant.”
As part of the change Alliance has agreed to sell the farm at Makarewa to help establish the Southern Dairy Hub, a dairy and demonstration farm that will deliver significant benefit to the Southland region.
Mr Surveyor says the Southern Dairy Hub’s creation recognises current scale and growth potential for dairying in Southland, helping address the significant local issues faced by farmers dealing with wet soils, cold winters and unique environmental issues.
The property will settle on 1 November when the conversion process will start.