About Us

In 1958, 20-year old Art Shoppee moved to Nhill to take over a dry cleaning business, never imagining that a decade later, he would be raising and selling ducks to restaurants in Adelaide. What began as 20 ducklings would eventually turn into a major duck breeding business. But of course, a lot happened between then and becoming Australia’s most trusted duck producer.

In fact, the day Art brought home the 20 ducklings, he had originally planned to buy chickens for his family’s freezer. And there were plenty more twists and turns that would shape the course of Luv-a-Duck. Initially raised in open pens, the ducks fell victim to heat, rain, crows and foxes. Even after protective sheds were introduced, fire ravaged the processing plants twice, and a third fire killed 8,000 ducklings. But Art, armed with steely determination and a poem his dad had given him titled ‘Don’t Quit’, always rebuilt and pressed on.

Today, Luv-a-Duck is the largest fully-integrated duck operation in the Southern Hemisphere. With a dedicated team of over 200 employees, we manage 6 specialised, sunny and spacious sites. Our ducks are fed the best quality grains from the Wimmera wheatlands and raised under the careful supervision of specialists in husbandry, nutrition and veterinary care. These ducks produce fully-flavoured, tender and lean meat, all while maintaining the care and innovation that Art originally envisioned.

We are a world leader in our industry and we believe in doing things right, not just for today but for the future. From strict quarantine procedures and an advanced breeding division to the latest hatchery, we ensure the highest standards of care for our ducks. We’re also one of the founding members of the Australian Duck Meat Association (ADMA); we’ve helped shape industry practices, including the creation of the Farm Biosecurity Manual for the duck industry.

Since 2012, we have worked with local service providers to help Karen refugees from Myanmar find meaningful employment in Nhill. We have also provided housing assistance, established learning centers, and offered training programs to help refugees adapt and feel a sense of belonging. We are proud to have received the ‘Business Inclusion Award’ at the Australian Migration and Settlement Awards in 2013.

Throughout our history, Luv-a-Duck has remained committed to innovation. Over the years, our product range has expanded to offer fresh, frozen, and ready-to-eat duck options — making it easier for both home cooks and chefs to incorporate duck into their culinary creations. To help our customers make the most of these products, we also operate a premium cooking school in Port Melbourne. Here, we teach everyone from beginners to professionals how to cook duck like a pro with the right amount of flair. Inspired by our mission to put duck on every table in Australia, we’re constantly learning, improving, and hatching new ways to ensure everyone can enjoy duck, whether at home or in the finest restaurants.