Koallah Farm managing director Steven Castle said the expansion would help producers locally and across the state to grow their businesses.

“Until now, alpaca growers right here in south-west Victoria had to truck their animals interstate for processing. Similarly, it was very difficult to have private buffalo and deer processed, boned and packed fresh for retail,” he said.

“Farmers work hard to breed and grow quality animals on their properties and we’re passionate about helping them maximise their returns by helping them access markets.”

Mr Castle said their had already been strong demand from venison producers and interest from alpaca and buffalo farmers.

Yarra Valley Game Meats’ Ken Lang said Koallah Farm’s expansion had potential to grow the state’s venison industry.

“Over the years abattoirs have either stopped processing venison…or made it difficult to get the animals done and back to market quickly enough,” he said.

“I supply restaurants, hotels and meat distribution companies and there is plenty of potential for growth now that we can be serviced here at Koallah Farm.

“I’m also very interested in marketing alpaca, llama and buffalo meat for other growers who can now be serviced here at Camperdown.”

Producer  Andy Cowan said the Victorian venison industry had shrunk from two decades ago.

“Back then there were over 50,000 deer processed annually, which is more than the total number of deer in Victoria now,” he said.

“Once word spreads that Koallah Farm is processing venison, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if numbers in deer farming rose again.

“The development of this abattoir will be a real boost for our industry.”

The new species add to Koallah Farm’s existing PrimeSafe licenses to process beef, lamb, pork and goat at the on-farm abattoir, Mr Castle said.

“The staged introduction of the additional licenses has been driven by farmers who, like us, wanted fairer access to markets and improved returns for the meat they produce,” he said.