JBS Beef City Celebrates 50 Years

JBS Australia is proud to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its Beef City site, a pivotal part of Australia’s largest beef processing and feedlot operations. Located just 35 kilometers west of Toowoomba on the Darling Downs, Beef City plays an integral part of the business’ grain fed beef production, and an essential role in consistently supplying safe, quality Australian grain fed beef to customers all over the world.

Originally purpose-built as one of Australia’s first large-scale feedlots, Beef City has gradually expanded to 26,500 head and inducts 64,000 cattle annually. Beef City is one of only two integrated feedlots and processing plants in the country, both owned by JBS, where livestock are walked directly from the feedlot to the processing facility. The Beef City processing facility can process around 1,000 head daily and produce 89,500 tonnes of beef and 277,000 hides annually.

JBS Australia CEO Brent Eastwood reflected on Beef City’s remarkable journey, saying that the dedication and tenacity of the Beef City team over half a century combined with their hard work and commitment to quality reinforces our position as a leader in the industry.  

“With a steadfast reputation for consistency and reliability, JBS Beef City embodies our commitment to nourishing the world and providing the high-quality Australian beef our customers have come to expect,” Mr Eastwood said.

JBS Northern Chief Operating Officer Brendan Tatt expressed pride in the diverse range of brands produced at Beef City, enjoyed by customers worldwide.

“Our grain-fed brands including Beef City Black, celebrated both domestically and internationally, have been reaching customers we’ve served for over 50 years, earning their status of superiority,” Mr Tatt noted. “No plant has a more distinguished reputation in Asia, North America and Australia than Beef City and Establishment 170.”

“Beef City is an integral part of JBS Northern’s 5 plants and 5 feedlots and our grain fed business as a whole.”

Sean Sturgess, the Beef City Feedlot Manager with over 35 years of service at Beef City, has a deep-rooted connection, following father Richard as the previous Feedlot Manager prior to his retirement in 2008.

“Beef City is more than a workplace; it’s home to a passionate team dedicated to producing quality beef from the region,” Mr Sturgess.

At the heart of Beef City’s success is community integration. Beef City Plant Manager, Justin McCormick said, “We’re honoured to be a cornerstone of the local community and an employer of more than 850 dedicated staff members across the site. Our team’s passion is integral to our operations and success.”

“As JBS Beef City celebrates this significant milestone, the operations remain committed to its legacy of excellence. It stands proud of its rich history as a vital community member, and we look forward to its continuous contribution to employment and the economic prosperity of the region well into the future,” Mr Eastwood added.