Record livestock prices have done little to deter Taree couple Alex Neale, 26, and Gabby Wyse, 20, from buying their first butcher shop.
The pair are set to take over the long-established Bruce Lang's Butchery in the next week, which roughly processes 1250 to 1500 kilograms of beef, 400kg to 500kg of lamb and 180kg of pork each week.
Mr Neale, who started butchering from 15, and his fiance Ms Wyse will work alongside another three staff members in the store.
They admitted the recent livestock price hike was on their minds but they would look to keep costs down by developing better marketing practices and their own signature offerings.
Ms Wyse will look to offer her Nan's Gourmet Rissoles, while Mr Neale has been investigating pineapple meat tenderisation to get the most from every cut.
They agreed keeping prices consistent would be a firm focus.
"People are still really loyal to their butchers and most people are still buying from butchers because they know where it is coming from, they know it's going to be the same and we have got a really good community of supporting local business," she said.
"We will look to keep other costs down by working smarter, not harder, that way it's not costing a fortune in labour.
"We are both young, we have got that little bit of extra go in us, so we will work the longer hours and work that little bit harder.
"Unfortunately you can't change the price of meat but you can work out other ways to be more sustainable to achieve the same outcomes."
Lucy Kinbacher
Raised on a cattle property at Biggenden, Lucy Kinbacher has spent 10 years working across metropolitan, regional and rural publications in both Queensland and NSW. Lucy has been the editor of the Queensland Country Life and North Queensland Register since 2021.
Raised on a cattle property at Biggenden, Lucy Kinbacher has spent 10 years working across metropolitan, regional and rural publications in both Queensland and NSW. Lucy has been the editor of the Queensland Country Life and North Queensland Register since 2021.
