ICMJ students touring Mort & Co’s Grassdale feedlot, south Dalby.

FEEDLOT businesses and their staff are encouraged to showcase their talent and be positioned as industry leaders by applying for a variety of awards run by Australian Lot Feeders’ Association.

Applications opened today for ALFA’s Young Lot Feeder of the Year Award, Excellence in Feedlot Education Medal, and Community Heroes Award, three initiatives that highlight the achievements of lot feeding businesses and the talent they cultivate.

ALFA president Barb Madden said the organisation’s awards program is the best way to identify rising talent and support the prosperity of the industry’s emerging leaders.

“Our industry is full of people and businesses that make incredible contributions to not only their feedlots, but the wider community,” Mrs Madden said.

“The various Awards ALFA run provide a pathway for individuals to develop their skillset and advance their careers in the lot feeding industry, while also recognising their significant contribution to the sector.”

Last year’s Awards program saw a variety of leaders from across the industry celebrated as part of ALFA’s SmartBeef23 event, and this year’s winners will be announced during the grain fed beef industry’s premier event BeefEx 2024, held in Brisbane on 15-17 October.

Applications for each award are accepted through submission on the ALFA website.

Young lot feeder of the year award

The Young Lot Feeder of the Year Award provides a chance for emerging leaders to demonstrate their vision for the future of the industry, with the winner receiving a $5000 study bursary to further their contribution to the feedlot sector.

The Young Lot Feeder of the Year Award seeks to identify, develop and reward individuals who have a clear outlook of their pathway within the feedlot industry, and an aptitude for demonstrating leadership in the future.

Young people who aspire to become industry leaders are encouraged to apply for this prestigious industry award.

Excellence in feedlot education medal

Those who actively invest in advancing their skillset in the fundamentals of lot feeding through eLearning on the industry’s training hub Feedlot TECH are invited to apply for the Excellence in Feedlot Education Medal.

Feedlot employees with over 100 points on Feedlot TECH are eligible to apply for the award, and through applying must articulate the skills and knowledge acquired and the significance of investing in personal development.

ALFA encourages those who are invested in upskilling themselves in the fundamentals of lot feeding and relevant industry training to apply for the chance to win an all expenses paid trip to attend the industry’s showcase conference BeefEx2024, and $1000 towards further
professional development.

Community heroes award

Feedlots who go above and beyond in supporting and nurturing their local communities and environment are encouraged to submit their work for the Community Heroes Award.

This Award is intended to showcase the variety of ways that feedlots give back. These can include community initiatives, such as outreach and engagement with local schools or groups, and environmental initiatives, including conservation and protection of land and wildlife or regenerative practices such as planting trees.

Feedlots are required to submit a short description of their initiative to be in the running to receive a $5,000 cash donation towards a nominated local charity, business, or feedlot initiative.

Source: ALFA