Numat’s YoungStar rubber mats in use at Casino Food Co’s NSW abattoir yards

CASINO Food Company in northern New South Wales processes around 1200 head of cattle a day. That means constant traffic on concrete ramps and races – with the risk of slips, stress, bruising, and the endless battle to keep things moving without injuries or downtime.

The company trialed Numat’s YoungStar rubber mats back in 2020, starting on the loading ramp. Grip was immediate. Cattle flowed better, no slips. Encouraged by the results, Casino rolled it out into the plant’s full beef-side race, veal areas, and some holding pens—totalling 600-800 square metres across stages.

Five years and hundreds of thousands of cattle later, the matting is still going strong.

There has been zero maintenance on the original 32mm ramp install, with not a single repair or fix needed. That’s the kind of proof that counts in a busy abattoir environment.

Click on the Youtube link below to hear it straight from Casino Food Co’s James McKinnon – the man seeing the difference every day.

Results and Benefits – Straight from the Yards

Tested and proven over five full years at Casino, Numat’s YoungStar rubber mats are providing real outcomes – not just theory.

Zero maintenance stands out clearest: that ramp hasn’t needed a thing since day one.

• Bruising clearly down (visible drop comparing 2019 to 2023 grain-fed data)
• Lameness and feet issues reduced by around 50 percent
• Slips and falls on ramp/race: effectively zero since the 32mm went in
• Cattle behaviour: slow down, corner clean, stand calm—even the sore ones
• Handler safety: far fewer fight-or-flight moments, less prodding, safer work
• Meat quality: less bruising means better returns for vendors.

Better welfare, lower costs, higher returns. Simple as that.

YoungStar 32 – Built for the Tough Stuff

YoungStar 32 is the heavy-duty option for abattoirs, saleyards, cattle wagons, and feedlots. 32mm thick: 18mm base plus 14mm square lugs for serious grip. Made from tough rubber, fully vulcanised and sealed—no moisture or bacteria traps. Stainless-steel fixings, no sharp bits sticking up. Bolts down quick without shutting the plant.

It softens truck drops, slows frantic cattle, and gives sore-footed stock a place to stand comfortably. Proven under constant heavy use.

What James McKinnon says……

James McKinnon from Casino Food Company has seen the benefits of Numat’s YoungStar rubber mats play out.

“The company wouldn’t spend money if they didn’t think they were going to get return on investment and they’re putting more in. The company believes it is improving the way the cattle are” he said.

And on sore-footed stock: “If we have cattle that are sore footed we bring them onto the rubber matting and they will actually stand on the rubber matting happily.”

James McKinnon from Casino Food Group

To see what YoungStar 32 could do in your feedlot, abattoir or property yards setup, give Numat Agri a call for a straight chat.