Freckle Farm suspends its pork production due to drought

Deb McLucas and husband Rob Bauman have previously had their Freckle Farm branded pork crowned the best in the country at the 2018 Australian Food Awards, but rising production costs have caused them to make the difficult decision to focus solely on their eggs and beef production until the season changes.

They have also decided not to renew the lease on their Mackay shopfront, which opened in December 2017.

Ms McLucas said while their retail business had grown significantly over the two years, it wasn't enough to keep pace with rising costs.

"Since mid-2017 our grain costs have gone up by 23 per cent," she said.

"Prices went to $730 a tonne in November 2018 and that last time it had been a $55 increase.

"The day after we made the announcement [about ceasing the pork operation], it went up another $20 a tonne which just cemented that we had made the right decision for us."

The family business has been running 230 head of Nguni Brahman cross cattle, 200 Berkshire pigs and 3000 laying hens on their 265 hectare farm but will now phase out its pork production over the next six months.

"The pork is what we're known for so it was a hard decision," Ms McLucas said.

"We'll keep a core breeding herd so we're able to ramp that production up in the circumstances change.

"If there had been rain and we could see the supply system for grain improving we would have likely made a different decision.

Ms McLucas said since announcing the changes to their supporters late last week, they had been inundated with support.

"We've seen so many customers, people are coming in to stock up their freezers," she said.

"They've been so supportive, many are sad but they understand why we're doing it. "

The retail shop will close some time in January, with the date depending on stock, Ms McLucas said.

"We're in the process of cooking over 500 hams for Christmas and we've sold close to 200 hams already," she said.

"We sold out last year and we're probably going to sell out earlier this year because of the demand."

The changes will see some other flow-on effects to the business. As the family will no longer be processing meat through their retail business, they will have to turn to an abattoir so will sell the remaining pork and their beef as bulk orders.

Freckle Farm will also still be a regular feature at the weekly farmers' markets in Mackay.

One thing's for certain though, the family are determined that Freckle Farm pork will rise again.

"We have been overwhelmed by the response... going directly to our customers means they've become very invested in our business over the years," Ms McLucas said.

"If we're taking anything positive out of this, it's that support.

"Having had so much support means that we're confident to resume operations as soon as things turn around in the pork sector, knowing we have that backing."