Three rising stars named Grand Finalists in ALFA Young Lot Feeder of the Year Award
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
MEDIA RELEASE
Proudly sponsored by Performance Feeds, the ALFA Young Lot Feeder of the Year Award gives emerging talent a platform to share their vision for the future of the industry. The overall winner will take home a $8,000 study bursary to further their contribution to the feedlot sector.
Following formal interviews with an independent judging panel, and a presentation and meet-and-greet with the ALFA Board in Sydney, three of the six Finalists have advanced in the competition as Grand Finalists.
Entrants were asked to submit an essay identifying a real or perceived challenge facing the feedlot industry, examining its implications, and proposing a workable solution.
In alphabetical order, the 2026 ALFA Young Lot Feeder of the Year Grand Finalists and their essay topics are:
Jack Berry, Teys Australia – Jindalee Feedlot Closing the Feedback Gap: Leveraging Kill-Floor Liveweight Data to Improve Feedlot Performance and Producer Decision-Making
Lachlan Drury, Condabri Beef Proud to Show It: Raising Standards Across the Australian Feedlot Industry
Zac McGee, Mort & Co – Grassdale Feedlot Moving the Australian Feedlot Industry to Better Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) Prevention and Preparedness
The three Grand Finalists will now undertake professional development training to further strengthen their leadership skills ahead of the final stage of the award. They will then head to ALFA's BeefEx Conference on the Gold Coast, where the overall winner will be announced.
ALFA President Grant Garey said the Young Lot Feeder of the Year Award continues to showcase the calibre of talent coming through the grain fed beef sector.
"This year we saw a record 18 entrants, each demonstrating real passion and ambition for the future of lot feeding, and it's fantastic to see three of them progress to this next stage," Mr Garey said.
"This award gives our industry's rising leaders a genuine pathway to build their skills and advance their careers, while also giving the sector a chance to recognise the calibre of people coming through our ranks."
"We're grateful to our long-standing sponsor and ALFA Platinum Member, Performance Feeds, for their continued backing of professional development for our industry's next generation," Mr Garey said.
Delivered as part of ALFA's Recognition of Excellence Program, the Award is one of several initiatives through which the lot feeding sector celebrates individuals and businesses striving for excellence.
The overall winner of the ALFA Young Lot Feeder of the Year Award will be announced at BeefEx 2026, held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre from 22–24 September 2026.
For more information on the Award, visit feedlots.com.au/ylfya.
ENDS.
Media Assets
Media Enquiries:
Grant Garey
ALFA President
(02) 9290 3700
Niamh Bartley
ALFA Marketing & Communications
0417 610 150
