Australia hopes to convert tallow into more than 10-million gals. of biodiesel annually in a move to boost the long-term sustainability of its red meat industry. Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) this week joined Midfield Meat International, Australian Meat Processors' Corp., and Sustainability Victoria to launch the initiative.

"This technology is great for profitability as it has the potential to take the volatility out of the tallow market by linking the value of tallow to international oil prices. This could provide a financial return greater than current average prices and put processors in a more financially secure position," MLA board director Diana Day says.

The project is being developed at Midfield Meat, which hopes to utilize the biodiesel in its transport fleet as well as selling it on the open market, an MLA release says. Midfield operates one of the largest red meat (beef, veal, lamb, mutton and offal derivatives) processing plants in Australia as well as a rendering plant, a pastoral company and a transport business.
-- Joe Roybal