The first private abattoir license to be issued in many years, Tablelands Premier Meats, owned by Stephen and Dorothy Tamplin is now open for business. 

With abattoirs generally preferring to cater for large numbers, Stephen said he saw a gap in the market.

“There are a lot of people who have small holdings, one or two ‘lawnmower’ sheep and we can cater to them,” he said. 

“We are especially set up to meet the needs of hobby farmers, organic growers, market retailers, and the independent butcher trade because we don’t  have a minimum number for kill runs.

“We can legally slaughter, butcher and pack the meat. We kill them and chill them and then leave to hang for a minimum of two or three days to make the meat more tender.”

With their own flock lambing all year round and grown naturally, Tablelands Premier Meats is set up as a fully functioning grower and butcher, also catering to anyone without their own ‘lawnmowers.’

“There’s definitely a push towards purchasing local meats, we had one local lady last week who’s hosting people from Sydney and she put an order in for next Friday,” he said. 

Supplying their own meat in cryovac packs, the Tamplins offer a refrigerated delivery service as well as supplying meat from their Cowra-based shop, Central West Naturopathic.

All meat sold on site is price-labelled and available at a competitive rate and with meat being sold at markets in Orange, Bathurst and Forbes, as well as some regional service stores, the couple are seeing an increase in familiar faces returning to purchasing local Canowindra meats. 

“It really is paddock to plate; meat like it used to be,” Mr Tamplin said. 

“It only leaves the farm to go to you.”

After owning and operating three properties in Tasmania before moving to Sydney for work, Mr Tamplin said he is now happy at home in the Canowindra surrounds.

“I came to the mainland, got lost and here I am,” he joked. 

“It’s just beautiful here and we welcome families, particularly from the city to come and have farm visits at the same time.

“We have friends in Sydney and Newcastle who come and stay- and they always take our meat back.”

While the dorpers are the main attraction, their ‘security guards,’ alpacas Fraser and Candy are always on hand to do their bit in keeping predators away- just not of the red and white kind

“If it’s a black dog on the loose then they’ll protect the sheep but because we’ve got two red and white dogs the alpacas have become desensitised to foxes- I’ve actually seen them lying down and a fox just walk right through the middle,” Mr Tamplin said. 

“They are great for the sheep though, Fraser will go first through into a new paddock, he’s like the security guard and if a lamb is missing Candy gets upset until they’re found.”

While stock losses to foxes were high for many years, the installation of fox lights on the fences has proved to be a winner.

“It’s been the best investment. The sheep camp between the lights and they’re protected- it’s like a disco for the sheep,” Mr Tamplin laughed. 

An Accredited Meat Safety Officer, Mr Tamplin said experienced staff from Cowra have proved invaluable to the new enterprise.

“They’re a good team of staff; an asset to the business,” he said.  

For more information or to place an order email dorper4u@hotmail.com,  phone Stephen on 0447712370 or check out Pride of Oak Tablelands Premier Meats on facebook.