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 above 15,000 head category, Smithfield Cattle Company’s Sapphire Feedlot has been named a finalist. Read on to find out more about their story.
What are your business values?
Sustainability – we manage our business to ensure it is sustainable and so that it uses natural resources in a sustainable manner for the benefit of generations to follow.
Humility – we recognise our strengths but remain aware that we can learn from others.
Integrity – we honour our commitments.
Reliability – we are loyal and dependable and deliver with consistency and certainty.
Excellence – we strive to exceed expectations and continuously seek improvement.
How important is environmental responsibility and sustainable practices to your feedlot?
Sapphire Feedlot takes its environmental responsibility and sustainability very seriously. Over the last 8 years since Sapphire was purchased the following significant advances have been made:
Design & Pen Construction – Pens are all 3% slope and 0.4% cross fall with 300mm gravel capping. All subgrades were compacted to less than 0.1mm per day before the capping was applied to protect groundwater and maintain pen integrity. All water troughs drain to underground sewer lines preventing surface water ponding. Bitumen feed lanes reduce dust, machinery wear and maintenance.
Manure Management – We operate a high frequency pen cleaning schedule which exceeds the industry standard. Records are maintained through electronic form system Go Canvas and Elynx FY3000, this data is combined to build a Power BI management tool for pen cleaning. Manure removal schedules can be adjusted for both wet and dry conditions, this can occur in all-weather circumstances. Composting of manure produces a more environmentally sustainable product and all manure removed from pens is utilised (either as raw material or composted) in our broad acre farming operation. We recently implemented a Johnson Su system involving worms in a 12–18-month composting process. Our aim is to produce commercially viable compost teas from primary source feedlot manure.
Effluent Management – Effluent is captured in designated holding ponds and then included in our irrigation farming practices. At a pumping rate of 6ML per day ponds can be emptied in 20 days. A contaminated agricultural runoff dam at the lowest point of this system ensures that tail water from irrigation and/or rainfall runoff containing effluent is recaptured and reused.
Solar – Solar units at bore and water pump sites as well as a 300KW system at the feedlot provide 75% of the total electricity requirement.
Ground water – Ground water level at our 5 bores plus an additional neighbour’s bore is voluntarily monitored and information provided to the Department of Resources to ensure sustainability of this aquifer.
What does animal welfare look like at your feedlot?
Sapphire Feedlot is committed to best practice animal welfare for the cattle in our care.
We strive for continuous improvement and regularly review, and update procedures and protocols based on the latest research and development in the industry.
Our approach focuses on several key areas:
Pre-Arrival Vaccination & Arrival Programs – We engage with our customers and suppliers to design suitable pre-vaccination and pre-arrival programs to reduce health risk.
Receival Cattle – Condition reports are completed on arrival by a certified animal welfare officer as a benchmark of health and welfare. A dedicated receival facility with additional pen space is provided for recovery from transport before feedlot entry.
Risk Profile – All cattle that arrive at the feedlot are risk profiled and this information is maintained in the livestock management system. This data helps build management tools to assist in decisions for heat load and health.
Backgrounding – A dedicated backgrounding property is utilised to improve health and reduce overall antibiotic use in high-risk cattle.
Health Management – A health protocol is developed by our consulting veterinarian and monitored monthly (onsite visit) in conjunction with management. High-risk cattle are checked twice daily by the health team.
Low Stress Stock Handling – Is practiced to a high standard in daily operations. Annual refresher training is completed with an external source.
Pen Infrastructure & Shade – Low stocking densities that exceed industry standard increase living, bunk, shade and water trough space. Adjustable bunk cable heights improve comfort for different animal sizes.
Pen Floor Maintenance & Bedding – Pen cleaning schedules are created by a combination of electronic forms and Elynx data to produce a Power BI management tool that monitors days since cleaned and manure load by pen. Heavy body weight cattle are provided bedding of woodchip to create a soft surface and improve comfort.
Heat Load Management – All cattle have access to 4-5m2 per head of shade, almost double industry standard. A management plan is developed pre-summer and implemented November to March. This includes daily monitoring of weather and forecast data and livestock observation with risk assessments completed. Records are maintained using electronic forms and Elynx to create a management tool in Power BI, this identifies high risk pens based on market category, body weight and daily consumption.
Hoof Trimming – All long fed cattle have a scheduled hoof trimming program based on days on feed and body weight. This is used as a preventative treatment (rather than corrective) to improve cattle comfort.
Dust Suppression – Bitumen feed lanes reduce dust which vastly improves animal comfort and respiratory health. All gravel roads are watered daily by a full-time water truck.
Hygiene – Cattle infrastructure is regularly cleaned and well maintained. Water trough cleaning and bunk management is completed daily.
Industry Commitment – Experienced company personnel provide time and knowledge to industry development opportunities that benefit not only us but the industry as a whole.
Ethical Standards – We work with customers that share our values and commitment to animal welfare.
How would you describe the feedlot’s focus on community engagement?
Significant emphasis is placed on community engagement and amenity through various key aspects:
Community Events and Sponsorship – A community donations committee of 6 employees representing a diverse range of interests meets multiple times a year. Its role is to distribute both financial and other tangible benefits to community organisations such as labour and the use of machinery. Most recently our water truck was used at the Goondiwindi Polocrosse Carnival.
Feedlot Tours – Organised educational tours for local schools, universities, and community groups. These tours help demonstrate the operation of the feedlot and educate the public about beef cattle lot feeding, farming practices, the feedlot’s sustainable efforts and animal welfare commitment. Our latest tour was a group of aged care residents from Kaloma in Goondiwindi.
Local Economic Support – The feedlot contributes to the local economy by actively acquiring commodities and livestock from local producers, purchasing from local retailers or on sellers and hiring from the local workforce.
Open Communication – We maintain transparent and open lines of communication with the local council. This involves working to help support and resolve: o Communication issues such as telecommunication restrictions in the area
Ways to help preserve roads in the area
Disaster management support through flooding and fires including access to equipment and updates on current situations in the feedlot area
Innovation programs such as the improvement and efficiency of town water and how to better treat and utilise effluent for local townships
Pilot programs to develop community jobs boards and how best to promote the region and community
Sustainable Initiatives – Actively work on sustainability projects that benefit the environment, the local community and the industry. This includes efforts to reduce water usage, manage waste effectively, and lower the carbon footprint.
Environmental Stewardship – Engage in practices that protect the local environment, such as implementing waste management systems and ensuring that runoff from the feedlot does not contaminate local water sources.
Industry Commitment – Over 20 years of representation on the ALFA board and an open-door policy with other feedlots in the interest of industry improvement. Sapphire employees participated in the MLA Red Meat Ambassadors program which focused on professional training in community engagement, communication through media and social media to build trust with consumers. This also included hosting Kimberley Busteed in 2022 (Australian Boxing Champion Nicila Costello is scheduled in 2024) as part of the MLA Red Meat Influencer program to promote positive red meat messaging to consumers, with particular focus on the feedlot production system. We custom feed the RNA Paddock to Palate Wagyu Competition entries annually to give back to the wider beef industry while simultaneously promoting the lot feeding sector.
What's next?
Sapphire 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.
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