Recognising individuals and businesses who strive to ensure the feedlot industry remains at the forefront of best practice and innovation has seen the Australian Lot Feeders’ Association (ALFA) launch the Annual Recognition of Excellence Program 2019.
The ALFA Annual Recognition of Excellence Program 2019 encompasses a range of prestigious awards and scholarships, to be presented at the grain fed beef industry’s premier technical conference, SMARTBEEF 2019 from 2 to 4 October at Dalby, Queensland.
ALFA President, Bryce Camm, said recognising and encouraging the industry’s most valuable asset is vital to the industry’s future prosperity and sustainability.
“The Australian cattle feedlot industry contributes $4.6 billion to the Australian economy and directly employs more than 2,000 people,” Mr Camm said.
“The industry has a rich history, and ALFA is proud to recognise and promote business and individual excellence in the lot feeding industry through Industry Awards since 1991.
“Since then, over 30 feedlots have been awarded Feedlot of the Year across a range of size categories and over 25 aspiring lot feeders have been awarded Young Lot Feeder of the Year.
“ALFA is very proud of the businesses and individuals that make up the industry and that are focused on personal and professional development, as well as continually committing to improve industry practices to strengthen the sector.”
The Program’s 2019 awards and scholarships include:
Feedlot of the Year Award
Young Lot Feeder of the Year Award, proudly sponsored by Performance Feeds
Excellence in Feedlot Education Medal, proudly sponsored by Zoetis
Innovator of the Year Award, proudly sponsored by IAP
Research Project of the Year Award, proudly sponsored by Bovine Dynamics & Quirindi Feedlot Services
Margin & People Management (MPM) Program Scholarship
SmartBeef Conference Scholarships, proudly sponsored by ALFA & MLA
Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP) Industry Scholarship
Training Rural Australians in Leadership (ARLP) Industry Scholarship
ALFA Outstanding Services to the Feedlot Industry Award
Mr Camm said a large part of the Program is targeted at capacity building in the industry.
“Young people who aspire to become future leaders in the industry are encouraged to apply for the prestigious Young Lot Feeder of the Year Award,” Mr Camm said.
“The Award is designed to encourage emerging industry leaders to contribute their ideas and vision for lot feeding at a national level.
“ALFA seeks and fosters qualities that empower participants to think outside the square, to be bold in their ideas and continuously develop and challenge their thinking about the Australian lot feeding industry and its future potential.”
The overall winner receives funding towards undertaking a professional development course or overseas study trip, to the value of $5,000, and a scholarship to attend the next Australian Rural Leadership Foundation’s TRAIL: for emerging leaders program valued at $9,350.
“Individuals with a commitment to continual formal learning within the feedlot industry are encouraged to apply for the Excellence in Feedlot Education Medal,” Mr Camm said.
“The Medal was established in 2004 to recognise excellence in feedlot operation skills and the value of formal training to the feedlot industry.
“Besides acknowledging and rewarding those feedlot staff committed to continual formal learning within the Australian feedlot industry, the Medal encourages these people to regard the feedlot industry as a worthwhile and rewarding career.
“Feedlot owners and managers are encouraged to nominate staff who they consider to be demonstrating excellence in feedlot operation skills and who are participating in or have participated in formal training or education. Individuals are also encouraged to self-nominate.”
ALFA’s Annual Recognition of Excellence 2019 Program is open to ALFA Members and/or their employees who demonstrate excellence and alignment with the core values of each Industry Award.
Entries open on 1 June. For more information and applications, visit https://www.feedlots.com.au/leadership
ENDS
For more information:
Madie Hamilton
Manager - Membership, Communications & Capability – ALFA E: madeleine.hamilton@feedlots.com.au
M: 0447 617 428