FAST FACTS
About
The Australian lot feeding industry is focused on caring for cattle, land and communities, whilst also playing an important role in sustainable food production and global nutrition.
​
You will find below essential facts about our sector and the role it plays in Australian agriculture, and domestic and global food supply.
This Fast Facts resource page has been developed to help our members promote understanding and transparency in the feedlot industry.
Download Shareable Social Assets
Download ALFA's Fast Fact shareable resources for social media. Don't forget to tag us - @grainfedbeef !
Our industry
The social, economic and trade environment that ultimately led to the genesis of the Australian grain fed beef industry started long before the first feedlots were constructed.
Price fluctuations and drought have been a recurring theme throughout the Australian beef industry’s history. Climatic variability has in a large part defined the character of the Australian beef industry for much of its history, and was, in itself, a significant catalyst that led to the development of a feedlot industry in Australia.
Take a virtual tour
The virtual feedlot tour is a great resource to showcase the intricacies of feedlot operations to others in a way that’s engaging, relevant and easily accessible.
The all-inclusive virtual experience provides an immersive 360-degree walkthrough of a feedlot, offering detailed insights into the operational areas and concise facts about the grain fed beef industry.
​
Access the tour below or via the resources page.
Lot feeding at a glance
FACILITIES​
356 NFAS accredited feedlots
Source: NFAS Annual Report 2023, AUS-MEAT
ESSENTIAL INDUSTRY
The Australian economy would shrink by $10.3B and shed 49,000 full-time employees if feedlots ceased to exist
Source: ‘Regional feedlot investment study’ Deloitte Australia (2015)
CERTIFIED
Beef can be marketed as “certified Australian grain fed beef” only when sourced from an NFAS accredited feedlot
More information: Quality Assurance
CAPACITY
1.6 million head
Source: MLA/ALFA Quarterly Feedlot Survey, June 2024
RECORD NUMBERS
After seven consecutive lifts to cattle on feed numbers, the latest record of 1.4 million head was reached in June 2024
Source: MLA/ALFA Quarterly Feedlot Survey, June 2024
ACCREDITED
Operates under Australia’s oldest agriculturally based quality assurance program, National Feedlot Accreditation Scheme (NFAS)
More information: Quality Assurance
EMPLOYMENT
Employs 2,000 people directly and 30,000 indirectly
Source: ‘Regional feedlot investment study’ Deloitte Australia (2015)
GRAIN FED BEEF
In 2023, grain fed beef accounted for 42% of total beef production and 47% of the cattle slaughtered in Australia
Source: State of the Industry Report 2023, MLA
ANIMAL WELFARE
83.29% compliance with NFAS Animal Welfare requirements in 2023
Source: Independently verified via 2023 NFAS audits, AUS-MEAT
VALUE
Turnover equated to $8.07B and contributed $920M to Australia’s GDP in 2021-2022
Source: State of the Industry Report 2023, MLA
ON FEED
Cattle on feed averaged 1.4 million head per quarter in the year to June 2024
Source: MLA/ALFA Quarterly Feedlot Survey, June 2024
SHADE
The feedlot industry has voluntarily increased cattle under shade from 56% of capacity to 70% in the last four years.
Source: ALFA/MLA Technical Services Officer survey, 2024
Feedlot sector
Australian beef farmers are proud of their beef and its reputation as one of the finest quality meats in the world. Australian feedlots are a highly efficient and sustainable option for producing beef for consumers and for maintaining a sustainable environment.
Why feedlots?
Cattle are raised on pasture in Australia, before 4% of our herd are cared for at feedlots at any one time.
Feedlots play a critical role in Australian beef supply - They support year-round access to nutritious diets for cattle and are essential during times of drought or pasture shortage.
Even though all Australian cattle are raised on grass, feeding in grain-based facilities like feedlots is a complementary system that ensures cattle can be nourished year-round despite the varying environmental conditions.
How long are cattle in feedlots and why?
Cattle are in feedlots for an average of 2 - 4 months. Grain feeding supports cattle growth to reach specific market specifications.
​​
Beef production is generally more efficient in a feedlot as more beef can be grown using less cattle, emissions, land, feed, manure and water. Find out more.
Who sets the standards?
Feedlots in Australia are highly regulated and independently audited
​
Certified grain fed beef comes from feedlots accredited to the National Feedlot Accreditation Scheme which ensures quality standards are met across animal welfare, traceability and food safety, environmental standards and product quality.
NFAS is Australia's oldest quality assurance program!
How do feedlots impact communities?
In many rural regions throughout Australia, feedlots are the backbone of the local community. The majority of feedlots are family owned and support local schools, community groups and events.
Read about what feedlots are doing for their communities here.
Who represents lot feeders?
The Australian Lot Feeders’ Association (ALFA) is the peak national body representing the Australian cattle feedlot industry.
ALFA membership represents 90% of Australian cattle feedlots, in terms of number of cattle on feed.
Grain Fed Beef & Nutrition
Certified Australian grain fed beef is world class – produced using professional systems, high quality standards and progressive research and development. Australian grain fed beef is revered around the world for its delicious flavour, texture, consistency and tenderness.
What sets grain fed beef apart?
Australian grain fed beef generally has more consistent fat, flavour and meat quality.
Beef lovers can be assured that certified grain fed beef will consistently deliver the delicious taste and juicy tenderness they are seeking.​
Find out why butchers consistently choose grain fed beef
Is grain fed beef good for you?
Beef contains more iron and zinc than pork, chicken and fish and is easier for the body to absorb than the iron and zinc found in plant foods!
Grain fed beef is a great source of the 12 essential nutrients recommended for good health including protein, iron, zinc and B12 and a source of omega-3, magnesium, potassium, selenium, phosphorus, and vitamins B3, B5 and B6.
Sustainable consumption of red meat includes red meat three to four times a week in healthy, balanced meals in line with Australian Dietary Guidelines.
Why eat grain fed beef?
Red meat, like grain fed beef, is a great source of iron and is important for brain function, wellbeing, and immunity.
For babies and young women who have high iron needs, iron-rich red meat is an easy way to get enough iron important for mental and physical development and wellbeing.
_edited.jpg)
How do fake meats stack up?
Fake meat products manufactured from plants are highly processed. Unlike processed these products, red meat is naturally nutrient-rich food without the need for additives.
​
Consumption of plant-based fake meat products remains very low in Australia - plant-based fake meat consumption accounts for less than 1% of total fresh meat and alternate protein sales.
Why is grain fed beef so popular?
​Australians love their beef – we consume on average 20-30kg of beef per person annually.
From sizzling steaks, to hearty roasts and tasty burgers – grain fed beef is as versatile as it is popular.
Is grass fed beef healthier than grain fed beef?
Grain fed beef is
Low in trans fats and sodium
Loaded with vitamins for blood health
Rich in minerals for body growth and maintenance
Packed with protein
Whilst grass fed beef has a higher level of beneficial Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) and Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids than grain fed beef, grass fed beef also has a higher level of unhealthy trans-fat. Concentrations of saturated, monounsaturated and total fatty acids are similar between grass and grain fed beef.
​
Both grass and grain fed beef are excellent nutritional products which provide a wide range of essential nutrients including: iron, zinc, omega-3s, protein, B vitamins, selenium and vitamin D.
Environment & Sustainability
Nourishing land is a key component of the Australian grain fed beef industry’s mission. Few industries are as acutely aware of the need to protect and sustain the areas they operate in.
How do feedlots help the land?
The one eternal problem facing Australian cattle producers is availability of grass, with extreme seasonal conditions a common occurrence. Sending cattle to feedlots makes a positive contribution to land sustainability as it reduces overgrazing and allows adequate re-growth of grassland.
Just 3% of Australia’s agricultural land is suited to cropping. That’s about 1/3 the size of Tasmania!
Can feedlots help reduce emissions?
Cattle on grain-based diets at feedlots reach their ideal weights more quickly than they would on grass.
Less time on grass results in a measurable reduction in carbon emissions.
What gets fed to feedlot cattle?
The most common grains fed to cattle in Australian feedlots are wheat, barley and sorghum. Each day, grains are either freshly rolled or steam-flaked in a mill to provide maximum nutrition that's easily digestible.
​
Of the plant material fed to livestock, 86% would be inedible by humans directly, but when fed to livestock is converted into valuable food for human consumption and contributes greatly to food and nutrition security.
Did you know?
All commodities that enter a feedlot are quality tested before being accepted for cattle consumption.
How are feedlot by-products used?
Feedlots produce manure as a by-product, which is a valuable source of nutrients and organic matter for improving soil structure and fertility, and crop or pasture production.
Feedlots will generally recycle manure to either use themselves or sell as fertiliser.
How does the industry report on our sustainability practices?
The Australian beef industry reports on its sustainability credentials every year in areas such as animal care, environmental stewardship, economic resilience and people & community.
​
The Australian grain fed beef industry is committed to a wider sustainability plan known as the Australian Beef Sustainability Framework. The Framework aims to create a thriving industry that improves the wellbeing of people, animals and the environment. It answers the high accountability the red meat industry has to Australian consumers and the community.
Animal Welfare
In the grain fed beef industry, it is imperative that all livestock are well cared for from the time they arrive at the feedlot to the time they leave. Every aspect of their welfare is planned and monitored by trained staff, including socialising, their health program and diet.
How do feedlots produce award winning, world renowned beef?
Quality beef comes from happy, healthy, quality cattle. Quality is purely an outcome of care – raising cattle with the utmost care is the only way to produce top quality beef.
How are cattle looked after in feedlots?
The Australian red meat industry is guided by the five domains of animal welfare. Endorsed by the World Organisation for Animal Health, the five domains are: Nutrition, environment, health, behaviour, mental state.
1
Nutrition
Cattle are delivered a carefully-balanced diet twice a day. Grains are milled or flaked fresh every day. Permanent water troughs are in every pen and are cleaned and changed frequently. Grain fed cattle are provided access to feed in accordance with their requirements and can access water whenever they please.
2
Environment
Feedlots must provide sufficient space for the cattle to move around easily. Many feedlots provide shelter and shade to ensure cattle have a comfortable resting place, and pens are cleaned regularly to remove manure.
3
Health
Every feedlot employs a team known as Pen Riders who pass through the cattle pens daily, either on horseback or on foot, to assess the health and contentment of each animal to identify and treat any care requirements.
4
Behaviour
Feedlots ensure cattle have sufficient space to move around and naturally lie down, the opportunity to interact with other cattle, and the opportunity through adequate roughage in their diet to spend time ruminating.
5
Mental state
​Feedlots minimise stress by using what is known as the low stress stock handling technique. Pen Riders mingle with the cattle on horseback or on foot to keep external noise to a minimum. Providing a physical environment void of stress is also key, which means building facilities that cater to the natural herd behaviours of cattle.
How are cattle prepared for feedlots?
To assist cattle in adjusting from a paddock environment to a feedlot environment cattle producers and grain fed beef producers prepare the cattle through a practice known as backgrounding.
Backgrounding includes:
-
Creating ‘social’ groups on farm where cattle are grouped into the mob they will stay with in the feedlot, minimising stress
-
Vaccinating cattle for diseases prior to their arrival at the feedlot, optimising animal health
-
Introducing trough feeding in the paddock to get them used to eating from a feed trough, getting them used to feedlot life
-
Starting cattle on a high fibre diet when they arrive at the feedlot helps their digestive system acclimatise to the new conditions, and transition slowly to a higher energy ration, assisting digestion​
​
How are cattle looked after in transport?
Strict national standards ensure livestock are well looked after during transport.
In conjunction with the Five Freedoms that guide animal welfare at feedlots, the industry works under the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Cattle. Watch this video to find out more.
Do cattle like being in a feedlot?
Research conducted by the CSIRO has determined that cattle when provided a choice between a feedlot and pasture-based environment, cattle prefer the feedlot.
On average, feedlot cattle also have lower mortality rates than grass fed cattle. This is because feedlots employ veterinarians to oversee health programs, animal nutritionists to determine and monitor cattle diets; and highly trained staff to supervise them on a daily basis. Feedlot cattle are also protected from starvation, floods, fire, droughts and predators, and awarded the five domains of animal welfare.
Given that there is a close correlation between cattle stress, cattle productivity and beef eating quality, it is in the interests of all grain and grass fed beef producers to reduce stress levels.
What is the industry's stance on shade?
ALFA is proud to announce its initiative that encourages all Australian feedlots to make a pledge to provide cattle under their care with access to shade.
With 70.4% of cattle on feed at any time under shade, the feedlot industry is making strides towards our goal.
How does animal welfare affect quality?
Good animal health and welfare practices positively impact meat quality.
Over the past decade the Meat Standards Australia average grade index increased from 56% to 58%, representing an overall average improvement in eating quality of Australian beef and therefore an improvement on animal welfare.
Red Meat Industry
The Australian red meat industry is focused on care for the environment, being sustainable and caring for our livestock, whilst also playing an important role in Australian communities and global nutrition.
How does Australia maintain its reputation for quality beef production?
Australia leads the world in the grading of beef, ensuring Australia consistently produces high quality beef.
​
Our quality is underpinned by Meat Standards Australia (MSA) – a beef eating quality grading system developed by long term research and supported by extensive consumer testing. Find out more here.
How many people work in the red meat industry?
Almost half a million people are employed in Australia’s meat and livestock industry.
Approximately 418,921 people were employed in the industry in 2022-23, according to MLA’s state of the industry report 2024
How is the whole carcass utilised?
Nothing is wasted from the animal, everything from nose to tail has value and is well utilised.
Besides highly nutritious meat, there are a variety of products that can be produced - from pet food, tallow, meat meal, and hides through to high value products such as keratin and collagen – every part of the animal is well utilised. Read about the latest innovations here.
How much of Australia's beef is exported?
​Australia is the world’s second largest beef exporter, despite producing only 3% of the world’s beef supply. Australia exports around two-thirds of the beef we produce to over 100 countries, valued around $11.3 billion in 2023.
How is Australian beef traced?
To ensure food safety, the Australian red meat industry uses three elements to track livestock throughout their life.
1. Animal identification
2. Property identification for physical location identification
3. Online database that records livestock movements.
Traceability protects the disease-free status of Australian red meat and protects the reputation of the products as clean, safe and natural.
Feedlot Case Studies
See how Australian feedlots are putting animal welfare and sustainability first as they share their stories.
Further Resources
Australian Grain Fed Beef
Australian Butchers Guild
Australian Good Meat
Meat & Livestock Australia
Australian Beef: The Greatest
Australian Beef Sustainability Framework
