The lamb abattoir will be looking for new casual employees.

It is targeting students and drought-stricken farmers looking for a substitute income, to begin 10-hour Saturday shifts.

The move comes as the company tries to take advantage of the influx of lamb on the market caused by dry conditions.

The drought, coupled with the seasonal availability of lamb in the New England at the end of January, will allow the company to feed an ever-increasing demand in the export market.

Peel Valley Exports plant manager Jack Thompson said the jobs would be an ideal opportunity for people looking for easy, well-paying casual weekend work.

Adults would be eligible to apply for all work types.

Students would be given basic labouring jobs such as box stacking, meat packing, labelling cuts of meat and carcass stamping.

Mr Thompson said if the 10-hour Saturday shifts did not attract enough applications or if the day was inconvenient for workers the Saturday operation could be scrapped in favour of a second option.

He said the second option for the plant would enable couples with children to take advantage of the new positions.

Days would be split into two eight-hour shifts from Monday to Friday.

He said the adoption of the second option would create just as much employment as the Saturday shift proposal.

Livestock transporters have also benefited from the flood of sheep and cattle into the yards.

The Australian Livestock Transporters Association has warned a predicted January drop-off in demand for their services could be the end for some operators.

Tamworth- based transporter and Stockmaster managing director Jim Savage said the six-month run of strong business had been good for his 30 truck operation. He said, however, that with the good times coming to an end all he could do was to "keep my fingers crossed and pray".

Mr Savage said the livestock belt between Victoria and up through NSW was drastically depleted of stock.

Farmers would be hanging on to key breeding stock over the next two months.

This would leave transporters with nothing to cart.

"These are worrying times," Mr Savage said.

"We just have to see what will transpire and hang in there."

Mr Savage said Armidale and Glen Innes farmers' ability to carry more stock thanks to better rainfalls in the area would help transporters in the region "tick-over".

He was unsure about the long-term future however.

"Ring me this time next year."

Anyone interested in employment with Peel Valley Exporters can take a tour of the plant and speak with management. Contact Wesley Uniting Employment on 6766 6887.

Tours of the plant's production line are conducted on Monday mornings.