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About ALFA

The Australian Lot Feeders’ Association is the peak national body for the feedlot industry in Australia. Its mission is to lead the industry in a manner that fosters excellence and integrity; improves the feedlot business environment; and to ensure its community standing.

The Association directly represents its members and does not have State branches or a hierarchical structure. ALFA membership is a cost effective way to participate fully in the industry.

ALFA actively advances and promotes the interests of the lot feeding industry; developing environmental and animal welfare standards, quality assurance & training programs and working to keep lot feeders abreast of emerging best management practices.

A summary of ALFA's Strategic Plan (updated August 2009) is available for viewing - click here.

To find out more about ALFA Membership and membership benefits, please click here to see the ALFA brochure.

ALFA Policy

A key role for the organisation is the debate and development of Industry Policy at ALFA Council meetings. ALFA works with a number of relevant groups, including Red Meat Advisory Council members (Cattle Council of Australia, Sheepmeats Council of Australia and the Australian Meat Industry Council).

ALFA also works as a key member of the SAFEMEAT Partnership, comprising the above groups as well as food, agriculture and biosecurity experts from State Government Agencies and the Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry.

ALFA Initiatives

As an industry Peak Council it is ALFA’s role to provide leadership, formulate policies, set strategic directions and agree to overall levels of funding for industry projects.

In this industry leadership role ALFA implemented a number of initiatives for the industry. These include:

  • the National Feedlot Accreditation Scheme which offers the industry a credible, cost effective alternative to government regulation and is at the cutting edge of quality assurance in Australian business. The feedlot industry was the first agriculturally based industry to embrace quality assurance. The program is compulsory for export beef and is well established with around 700 feedlots accredited.
  • the development of a system for grading beef based on consumer eating satisfaction through Australian Meat Standards. This system was the forerunner of the national beef-grading scheme – Meat Standards Australia.
  • the establishment of standards and specifications for the trading of 'grain fed beef' on both domestic and export markets. These standards have been incorporated into the AUS-MEAT cyphers.
  • the development of National Guidelines for Beef Cattle Feedlots in Australia (Feedlot Guidelines). This booklet includes, for the first time, the Australian Code of Practice for the Welfare of Cattle in Beef Feedlots (or Feedlot Code). The document underpins the National Feedlot Accreditation Scheme (NFAS).
  • the development of the National Beef Cattle Feedlot Environmental Code of Practice, which outlines benchmarks to provide guidance for lot feeders.
  • the development and hosting of a number of workshops and seminars throughout the year to ensure the latest information and technology is available to the industry. Courses have covered waste management, nutrition, feedlot management, animal health, cattle breeding and backgrounding and pen riders' training.
  • the preparation and hosting of a biannual industry conference ‘BeefEx’ addressing both domestic and international issues facing the industry and in alternate years ‘BeefWorks’ a more feedlot specific event.
  • publication of a member newsletter ‘Around the Pens’ every fortnight along with a Journal, ALFA Lotfeeding, in conjunction with Rural Press every second month, providing up to date information on current issues within the industry.
  • a quarterly survey of the feedlot industry, in conjunction with MLA and ABARE, which provides valuable market information. This survey highlights cattle numbers on feed and capacity levels within the industry by state and region and market destinations.
  • the development of standards for meat quality and safety. ALFA has been instrumental in developing a scheme to ensure cattle entering feedlots are free of residues. A National Vendor Declaration (NVD) form for suppliers of cattle to feedlots is in use throughout Australia. A similar feed supplier declaration - Commodity Vendor Declaration (CVD) form for suppliers of commodities to feedlots has also been developed.