ALFA's Community Heroes Award, sponsored by Lallemand Animal Nutrition, is back for the fourth year running. This heart-warming award recognises and rewards feedlots across Australia for their outstanding contributions to local communities and the environment.
The overall winner will receive a $5,000 cash donation that can be directed towards a local charity, business, or feedlot initiative, further enriching their communities.
Sapphire Feedlot hosts Biggest Morning Tea
By Kate Stark
While a feed bunk might not sound like the most popular place to catch up with mates over a cuppa, it was the perfect spot for the team at Smithfield Cattle Company’s Sapphire Feedlot to host their ‘Biggest Morning Tea’.
The Queensland-based feedlot took to the cattle pens in an effort to fundraise for the Australian Cancer Council this year.
Sapphire Feedlot manager James Guest said the event saw a huge turn-out with the team setting up a long table-style experience in the laneway.
“Our morning tea catered for the entire Sapphire team, with homemade sweet treats, along with bakery bought delights,” he said.
“This was the first time our entire team shared a cuppa with the cattle in our care.”
Mr Guest said many Sapphire Feedlot families have been impacted by cancer, with the most recent being the passing of our founding matriarch, Sandra Shearer-Smith.
“Sadly, cancer impacts a lot of people and this was a way we could support as a group in memory of Sandra who played an integral part in the beginning of Smithfield Cattle Company’s journey into lotfeeding.
“She had aspirational dreams for their little community, and the importance of working together as a team with a shared vision, can have very rewarding results.
“Sandra’s legacy lives on through her children and grandchildren that are engaged in the feedlot industry at all levels.”
Mr Guest said the team registered for Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea and planned to set up in the feedlot as a unique and fun way to inspire people to get involved.
“The event was themed ‘Fill your plate and donate’ and we encouraged everyone to wear blue and yellow which was embraced by all.
“The team really enjoyed the morning tea and sitting down as a group in the middle of the feed lane created something special and is still mentioned as a highlight among the team.”
Mr Guest said he hoped the event would inspire other feedlots to host similar events in the future.
“It’s so important that we give back to our communities and charities,"
“At some point, we will all be impacted and to be able to say we have contributed to bettering someone else's life is important,” he said, adding Sapphire Feedlot also fundraises for Footy Colours Day and RU OK Day.
About the ALFA Community Heroes Award
Sapphire Feedlot has entered the ALFA Community Heroes Award which recognises and rewards feedlots which are actively nourishing their community and environment. The winner, announced at BeefEx in October, will receive a $5,000 cash donation towards a local charity, business, or feedlot initiative to assist in further development and impact of the initiative.
With thanks to our ALFA Platinum Member sponsor, Lallemand Animal Nutrition for their support of this Award.
