By CAITLIN CROWLEY
TOOWOOMBA-based beef cattle company Mort & Co was named Queensland’s Best Regional Exporter for a second year in a row at the Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards overnight.
The Darling Downs business, which already exports close to 7500 tonnes of its branded beef to 13 countries world-wide annually, now has its sights set on finding international markets for its new stockfeeds and organic fertiliser products.
Both ventures are Australian-first initiatives, with Mort & Co currently exploring opportunities for both products to be sold overseas.
Mort & Co CEO Stephen O’Brien said the Regional Exporter award was an immense honour and a testament to the quality of exporting businesses emerging from regional areas.
“There are more than 7,000 Queensland companies exporting their product to the world and 40% of those are from regional areas across our state,” O’Brien said.
“With so many great businesses in our regions, tonight’s achievement is a phenomenal success for our team and for our region.
“For Mort & Co, operating internationally has meant a new level of innovation and it’s astounding to see so many fellow exporters raising the bar in this space.
“With the calibre of nominees growing, Mort & Co faces an exceptionally challenging level of competition, making these achievements all the more significant for our business.”
It’s another prestigious award for the company, which is the nation’s largest privately owned lot feeder, after it was was named Australia’s Regional Exporter of the year in 2022.
Mort & Co expanded its geographical footprint into Central Queensland this year, pushing ahead with the development of a 36,500 head feedlot and fertiliser plant at Gogango, west of Rockhampton.
Mort & Co Executive Chairman, Charlie Mort, said last night’s award was a reflection of the hard work and dedication applied by everyone in the company.
“This award is not only ours. It is an award that should be celebrated by our communities – particularly the Darling Downs and Western Downs regions and our network of producer partners who are based all over Australia,” Mort said.
“Tonight’s achievement not only reflects positively on Mort & Co, but also our complementary services, valued supply partners and globally positioned customers, right down to our local communities and economies.”
