Mort & Co wins Regional Exporter category at 2023 Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards
When Thomas Sutcliffe Mort emigrated to Australia in 1838, he would go on to pioneer agricultural industries around the country and export products to the world. More than 180 years later, the modern-day Mort & Co is continuing on a similar path to its predecessor.
Mort & Co at the Premier of Queensland Export Awards, 2023.
These days it is not only the largest Australian-owned lot feeder in the nation, turning over more than 230,000 cattle per year, but has diversified into a range of innovative complementary businesses including meat exports, stockfeeds, organic granular fertiliser, farming and transport.
Mort & Co now employs more than 300 people and services both domestic and international markets with its supply of premium agricultural products.
Mort & Co began exporting superior Australian beef to the world in 2015, and its partnerships with more than 1400 producers from across the country ensures the supply of quality cattle.
Its Phoenix Beef range has become synonymous with quality, while the recently added Sir Thomas Angus and TS Mort Fullblood Wagyu brands have only increased global demand. Mort & Co now exports to 13 countries around the world from Asia to the Middle East and the United States.
Like many pioneers, Mort & Co’s drive for continual improvement and innovation is at the core of what it does. The evolution of its integrated supply chain has seen the company establish new market-leading enterprises in stockfeed and fertilisers and reinforce its commitment to sustainability.
Mort & Co uses the abundant supply of manure from its 80,000-head Grassdale feedlot near Dalby which would otherwise be a waste product, and turns it into an organic, carbon-based granular fertiliser at a new, state-of-the-art manufacturing plant.
The company has also established an Australian-first cottonseed de-oiling facility at Grassdale.
Mort & Co was nominated in two categories at the Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards, winning the Regional Exporter category for the third straight year.
It is no stranger to success at the awards, also previously winning the Agribusiness, Food and Beverages category on two occasions.
Reflecting on their latest Export Awards victory, Mort & Co CEO Stephen O’Brien said the business had taken a methodical approach to working internationally.
“The global demand for quality Mort & Co products has continued to rise and we’ve expanded into the Hong Kong and Singapore markets after the release of our TC Mort and Sir Thomas brands,” he said.
Stephen O'Brien (L) and Charlie Mort (R)
“This increase has had a positive impact on the producers we work with, as well as amplified the need for more team members in our feedlot, livestock and processing teams.”
Stephen said Trade and Investment Queensland had helped Mort & Co into more export markets.
“There’s an incredible opportunity, not only here in Australia, but particularly with exports,” he said. “Markets that are crying out for good, high-quality products, and we’re only happy to engage with them.”
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