The Australian grain fed beef sector celebrated individual and business achievements at the Australian Lot Feeders’ Association (ALFA) Industry Awards Ceremony that took place virtually on the evening of Wednesday, October 20.
Since 1991 ALFA has run a prestigious annual Recognition of Excellence Program whereby lot feeders and feedlot businesses are encouraged to apply for a range of awards and scholarships, proudly supported by a number of longstanding partners.
Traditionally awarded at the industry’s annual conference, this year’s awards were presented virtually due to the conference having moved online due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“The quality of talent vying for the awards this year was outstanding and clearly demonstrates the strong commitment to continuous improvement held by Australian grain fed beef producers,” ALFA President, Bryce Camm, said.
“With record numbers of entries received for both the Young Lot Feeder and Australian Feedlot of the Year Competition, there is a real sense that the feedlot industry is bursting with leadership, pride and enthusiasm.”
The virtual ceremony was hosted by Gerry Gannon, with live crosses made to award winners that made for an exciting evening of celebrations across the country.
The ALFA Award for Innovation proudly sponsored by Integrated Animal Production, was awarded to Ryan Smith of Rangers Valley Feedlot, New South Wales for his ‘Re-usable PVC Fly Trap’ innovation. The runner-up was Shane Bullock of Jindalee Feedlot, New South Wales for their innovation ‘The Post Pot Digger’. The award encourages the formation of clever, non-commercialised ideas and innovations that genuinely make a difference to the functionality of day-to-day feedlot operations.
The ALFA Excellence in Feedlot Education Medal, proudly sponsored by Zoetis, was awarded to Brenton Watterson of AACo - Aronui Feedlot, Queensland who has recently graduated from a Cert III in Feedlot Operations - Pen Riders from TAFE. The Medal recognises and awards individuals that are demonstrating excellence in feedlot operation skills as a result of undertaking training.
The ALFA Young Lot Feeder of the Year, proudly sponsored by Performance Feeds, was awarded to James Guest of Smithfield Cattle Company – Sapphire Feedlot, Queensland. The award embodies passion, leadership, development, and initiative and encourages emerging, dedicated employees to contribute their ideas and vision for lot feeding at a national level.
The winner received $5,000 funding towards undertaking a professional development course or study trip and a grain fed beef industry scholarship to attend the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation’s TRAIL: for emerging leaders program, valued at $10,450.
In its inaugural year, the ALFA Community Heroes Award, proudly sponsored by Lallemand Animal Nutrition, was awarded to Smithfield Cattle Company – Smithfield Feedlot, Queensland for their community-minded initiative that is connecting students and teachers to the feedlot industry.
Smithfield has received $5,000 in funding to assist in further development and impact of their initiative. This award recognises and rewards those feedlots that are actively nourishing their local communities and environment by going above and beyond to support their community, ‘give-back’ and better the environment around them.
The Australian Feedlot of the Year Competition, proudly sponsored by ALFA, AUS-MEAT and Integrity Systems Company was awarded to the following feedlots per size category:
Under 3,000 head - Paradise Beef Feedlot, Western Australia
3,000 – 8,000 head - Gundamain Feedlot, New South Wales
8,000 – 15,000 head - Gunnee Feedlot, New South Wales
Above 15,000 head - Teys Australia Jindalee Feedlot, New South Wales
The competition is open to all National Feedlot Accreditation Scheme (NFAS) accredited feedlots and focuses on driving best practice and uncovering feedlots that are truly exceeding the status quo.
The winning feedlots demonstrated their efforts in achieving and exceeding the five core principals of NFAS; quality assurance culture; product integrity; environmental responsibility; animal welfare responsibility; and business planning, as well as their efforts towards innovation, employer of choice, chain of responsibility, community amenity and social accountability.
ALFA’s Recognition of Excellence Program is run annually and aims to attract, retain and grow a professional skilled workforce through the recognition of business and individual excellence.
For more information about the Australian Feedlot Industry Awards and winners, visit the ALFA website at:
ALFA Award for Innovation https://www.feedlots.com.au/innovator
ALFA Excellence in Feedlot Education Medal https://www.feedlots.com.au/medal
ALFA Young Lot Feeder of the Year https://www.feedlots.com.au/ylfya
ALFA Community Heroes Award https://www.feedlots.com.au/communityheroes
Australian Feedlot of the Year Competition https://www.feedlots.com.au/floty
ENDS
For more information:
Bryce Camm
ALFA President info@feedlots.com.au
(02) 9290 3700
Madie Hamilton
General Manager - Communications & Engagement madeleine.hamilton@feedlots.com.au
0447 617 428