Since 1991, the Australian Feedlot of the Year Competition has aimed to encourage continuous improvement within the feedlot industry and to recognise those feedlots that are operating their business at the forefront of the principles of the National Feedlot Assurance Scheme (NFAS).
The feedlot industry prides itself on the integrity of our long-standing quality assurance scheme, and this competition shows the dedication our sector has to fulfilling the high standards we sign up to.
This competition continually showcases what high-performance in lot feeding looks like and inspires and encourages businesses alike to operate at the very best standard.
This year, we have six entrants from across Australia who are vying in their respective categories to be named 2024’s Australian Feedlot of the Year at ALFA’s BeefEx 2024 Conference held in Brisbane on 15-17 October.
In the 8,000 – 15,000 head category, QLD’s Barmount Feedlot has been named a finalist. Read on to find out more about their story.
Barmount Feedlot is family owned and operated and was the eighth feedlot to be accredited in Australia. This year marks 75 years that Barmount has been in the Conaghan family. In 2021 Phil and Lynise Conaghan took over sole ownership of Barmount which coincided with the return of their three adult children to the business. In addition to the family, Barmount employs a crew of 16 staff. Due to the geographical location of Barmount, staff live and work on-site. The nearest town to Barmount Feedlot is more than 100km away.
What are your business values?
Strong values contribute to our positive culture by promoting behaviours that are important to us. We believe that strong values lead to higher employee morale and retention and aligns the actions of our team with our overall mission and vision. Barmount Feedlot business values are:
TEAMWORK
• Support each other, always be kind.
• Recognise the contributions of others.
• Look out for your teammates.
ENTHUSIASM
• Be the most positive person in the room.
• Go above and beyond.
• Refuse to be average.
INTEGRITY
• Do the right thing even when no one is watching.
• Aspire to high levels of success.
• Tell the truth.
INNOVATION
• Generate ideas.
• An open mind is a valuable resource.
• Think outside the box.
INITIATIVE
• Independently assess situations and instigate solutions.
• Think and plan ahead.
TRUST
• Reliability
• Sincerity
• Competence
How important is environmental responsibility and sustainable practices to your feedlot?
Environmental responsibility and sustainable practices are crucial to our feedlot to ensure efficient use of resources, minimise environmental impact, comply with regulations, satisfy consumer expectations, and ensure long-term viability.
Barmount has recently worked with Integrity Ag to undertake a baseline carbon assessment which has provided valuable information about our feedlot, backgrounding and cropping emissions which has assisted us to further develop our emission reduction strategies.
Refining our practices that focus primarily on manure management, animal health and nutrition, farming practices, upgrading equipment to reduce energy consumption and engagement with our local communities and stakeholders will benefit not only the environment, but our operational efficiency and reputation. It is also important to us that we continue to track our progress and identify areas for improvement, keeping us accountable and demonstrating our commitment to sustainability.
What does animal welfare look like at your feedlot?
At Barmount Feedlot, animal welfare is a top priority and integral to the health and performance of our livestock, which directly impacts our business success. Our comprehensive approach ensures the well-being of our cattle through a combination of best practices, continuous staff training, and adherence to industry standards.
Our staff are extensively trained by experienced professionals including visiting feedlot veterinarians and nutritionists to promptly identify and care for sick cattle. Training in low-stress handling techniques is mandatory for all Livestock staff to ensure cattle are managed calmly and respectfully. Regular team meetings and weekly check-ins ensure all staff members are aligned on health and performance goals, and that everyone remains informed about the latest animal welfare practices.
We maintain a rigorous health monitoring program overseen by our trained staff, which includes daily pen health checks, mandatory vaccinations, and prompt treatment of any illnesses or injuries. We have established strong relationships with feedlot veterinarians, who assist us in developing and implementing effective disease prevention programs.
Through our comprehensive approach, Barmount Feedlot strives to uphold the highest standards of animal welfare, ensuring that our livestock are treated with care and respect throughout their time with us.
How would you describe the feedlot’s focus on community engagement?
At Barmount Feedlot collaborates with local businesses, schools, and organisations to support community events and participate in industry relevant shows and exhibitions.
The CQ Carcase Classic Competition is a very popular and highly regarded annual event that allows beef producers of Central Queensland the opportunity to showcase their beef as well as benchmark their own achievements against the best cattle producers in the region. Local community organisations also benefit from the competition with commission monies from competitors distributed to nominated community groups. Read more about this initiative here.
This initiative has provided us with the opportunity to showcase what it is that feedlots do, our family feedlotting business and our staff to our broader community. Attendees gained a greater appreciation and understanding of the science behind feedlot nutrition, accuracy of feed delivery, depth of staff training and efficiency of feedlot production. We anticipate that the field day will become an annual event except for years that coincide with Beef Week Australia.
This year, in collaboration with organisers of Australia Beef Week, Barmount Feedlot fed over 180 head of cattle in the grain-fed classes for numerous vendors. This partnership led to frequent visits by agents and owners to the feedlot, working closely with our staff to ensure the cattle were well-prepared and showcased for the national competition. Our client cattle achieved outstanding results in this competition earning Barmount Feedlot the title of “Most Successful Feedlot” at Beef Australia 2024.
Other community events include “Movember” ($ 1035 raised and a combined 515.8km walked by our team); Donations to CQ Rescue Helicopter Service; Team participation in RFDS Oceans to Outback fitness challenge, Annual Sponsor of the Mackay Show Grain-fed Chiller Bullocks Class and cattle donor to Paradise Lagoons and Clarke Creek Campdrafts.
What's next?
Barmount Feedlot now moves on to the second round of judging, which involves an independent judging panel made up of industry representatives evaluating key areas within these pillars including innovation, employer attractiveness, responsibility throughout the supply chain, and community engagement. These factors aid in distinguishing the top performing feedlots from the pool of entrants.
ALFA commends the incredible work these feedlots have done to become finalists, and for the efforts they make in continually meeting and exceeding the NFAS’ requirements.
More information on the Australian Feedlot of the Year Competition can be found on the ALFA website at feedlots.com.au/floty.
The Australian Feedlot the Year Competition is an initiative of ALFA and proudly independently run by the leading provider of agribusiness auditing, certification and training services, AUS-MEAT Limited.
