DARWIN, Australia – The Australia Agricultural Co. is targeting October to begin construction on a new beef processing plant in Darwin, according to Beef Central.

David Farley, chief executive officer of AA Co., said the company spent more than $14 million to acquire the land and the design is complete. The company plans to break ground in October and get the foundations of the plant set before the rainy season begins. The plant is forecast to run at 200,000 head annual capacity.

Farley said the plant will use the latest technologies and run on 24 percent less labor compared to other abattoirs in southern Australia. He added that the company had negotiated improved container shipping access to Singapore, Indonesia and other Southeast Asian destinations.