Inghams announces investment in new Victorian poultry breeder farm
Inghams Group Limited (ASX: ING) today announced a significant expansion in its Victorian poultry breeding operations.
In partnership with ProTen, Australia’s largest corporate meat chicken grower, Inghams is investing in two new, state-of-the-art poultry breeder production farms in Charlton, Victoria. The collaboration capitalises on ProTen’s proven expertise in poultry farm development and operations, ensuring the delivery of world-class production facilities.
The project represents an investment of approximately $50 million and will see the construction of 16 highly automated production sheds across the two farms, with construction commencing in the August 2026 and operations expected to begin in the first half of 2029. The new facilities will be managed by Inghams following completion.
Once completed, the breeder farms will incorporate the latest technology in egg grading and sorting, utilising artificial intelligence-based systems to assess each egg produced. The scale of the investment and advanced automation will enhance Inghams’ operational efficiency and contribute to reduced transport costs.
This project represents a major commitment to regional Victoria and is expected to create employment opportunities within the local Charlton community during both the construction and operational phases.
Inghams’ General Manager, Farming & Milling, Sheridan Alfirevich said: “This development represents an important investment in our Victorian farming operations and the Charlton community. Building on our long-standing presence in the region, these new state-of-the-art breeder farms will meaningfully expand our national breeding capacity and deliver world-class animal welfare and biosecurity outcomes. We are excited about the project and look forward to continuing to grow alongside the Charlton community for many years to come.”
ProTen Chief Executive Officer, James Wentworth said: “We are pleased to partner with Inghams in creating this state-of-the-art facility that will help feed Victoria into the future. We are also very grateful for the support Buloke Council has provided for the project.”
Pictured: ProTen Development Manager, Ashley Etherington with Inghams’ General Manager, Farming and Milling, Sheridan Alfirevich
Media enquiries: Brett Ward, brward@inghams.com.au, +61 437 994 451
About Inghams Group
Inghams is Australia and New Zealand’s largest integrated poultry producer, committed to its Purpose of providing deliciously good food in the best way.
Our geographically diversified network across Australia and New Zealand provides the scale, infrastructure and expertise to meet customer requirements with confidence, while minimising agricultural and biosecurity risks and maintaining continuity of supply.
With a team of more than 8,200 people, Inghams supplies chicken, turkey and adjacent protein products to major retailers, quick service restaurants, food service distributors, wholesalers and export markets, building on our proud history of excellence and quality customer service.
All of our broiler farms are RSPCA Certified in Australia and SPCA Certified in New Zealand, reflecting our commitment to animal health and welfare and supporting our ambition to be our customers’ first choice for poultry.
About ProTen
ProTen is Australia’s largest corporate meat chicken grower, setting the standard in broiler farm operations and development. As a pioneer in the corporatisation of Australia’s broiler chicken market, ProTen has created a globally unique market segment and driven sustained growth through strategic planning and execution.
With over 800 poultry sheds across 70+ broiler farms strategically located in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, and Queensland, ProTen is at the forefront of the industry. ProTen’s farms have the capacity to produce over 200 million broiler chickens annually, contributing approximately 25% of Australia’s total broiler chicken production.