Experienced beef industry manager James Sage has joined Thomas Foods International to head up operations at the company’s Southern Cross Feedlot.
Mr Sage has relocated from New South Wales to South Australia to take on the position of general manager at the Tintinara-based Feedlot which has recently undergone a major expansion.
In his role, Mr Sage will manage a workforce of more than 40 and an expanded capacity of up to 27,000 head of cattle.
“This is a state-of-the-art facility with a highly experienced and skilled team in place,” he said.
“TFI has invested a great deal in this feedlot and set it up for a long term future.
“It’s an exciting time to join a leading Australian family company providing the best quality Australian meat to markets here and overseas.”
Prior to joining TFI, Mr Sage was the Conargo Feedlot Manager at Australian Food and Agriculture in the Riverina, New South Wales, during which time he oversaw the greenfield development of a 12,000 head feedlot facility.
In his 30-year career, he has also worked in Queensland and overseas, holding the positions of Production Manager and Beef Consultant South East Asia for Associated Grain, Asia Pacific Beef Manager with Alltech Asia Pacific and Feedlot Manager with Gibson Partnership in Dalby, Queensland.
Mr Sage, a recreational flyer with a keen interest in sports, said he was looking forward to working closely with local livestock and commodities producers.
“I’m keen to form strong personal relationships with all our suppliers and become involved in the local community,” he said.
“From day one here at Tintinara, I have been made to feel very welcome.
“I’m also looking forward to growing our team and we currently have positions available at the feedlot across livestock and administration roles.”
TFI Chief Executive Anthony Stewart said Southern Cross Feedlot would play a key role in the company’s integrated supply chain, with increasing numbers of cattle required for the new Murray Bridge processing facility.
“We have invested more than $17m over the past two years expanding and upgrading the Southern Cross Feedlot,” Mr Stewart said.
“This has included the construction of 95 pens, a feed mill upgrade and taken our capacity from 15,000 to 27,000 as well as creating new job opportunities along the way.
“With processing ramping up at Murray Bridge, the demand for high quality Angus beef continues to rise.
“We’re pleased to have James on board to drive our future growth. He has a strong reputation and track record within the Australian beef industry and will be a valuable addition to our management team.”
