By MALUM NALU
New Britain Palm Oil Ltd (NBPOL), PNG’s largest producer of beef, produced 1.28 million kilograms of beef for the local market last year, which netted the company K14.9 million.
According to NBPOL’s 2011 annual report, the group remained the largest producer of beef in PNG, however, beef production would continue to play only a minor role in the overall investment strength of the group.
“This does not mean that the beef production will not receive investment, or that beef production cannot be significantly improved to provide a valuable resource to supplement the earning capacity of the group, especially in areas where cattle and oil palms can be intercropped, or in areas where oil palms are unsuited as a sole commercial crop,” the report said.
“The group’s herd size showed some growth with 20,000 cattle managed in two separate locations.
“The group herd produced some 1, 284,000kg of beef for the PNG market, generating revenue of K14.9 million.”
The report said the herd at Ramu Agri Industries Ltd RAIL, at Leon Plains in the Markham Valley of Morobe province, had about 16,500 head of cattle, while the herd at West New Britain had about 3,500 head of cattle.
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| Cattle at Leron Plains Ranch in the Markham Valley of Morobe province.-Nationalpic by MALUM NALU |
At RAIL, the feedlot had a capacity to finish up to 1,000 head 120 days prior to slaughter.
“The feedlot ration is currently based on sorghum silage, mill run, palm kernel expeller and molasses,” the report said.
“Good efficiencies and standards at the abattoir, combined with improved weights have yielded much improved quality in the final product.
“Additional investment in stock yards and machinery for both silage production and pasture improvement are all contributing to better efficiencies.”