Lot feeding
The beef cattle feedlot industry is now well established as an important value-adding component of the Australian beef industry. The growth in this sector of the industry has been stimulated by the increasing demand in our major export and domestic markets for consistent quality in our beef products.
The Australian Lot Feeders’ Association (ALFA) represents the interests of feedlots in Australia at every level, as the industry’s national peak body. MLA and ALFA work together to develop a strategic direction for the Australian feedlot industry and to progress a range of activities that assist the industry to cement its position in the domestic and export market sectors.
Current industry overview
- Feedlots are concentrated in the major agricultural regions of Australia where they have access to adequate supplies of store cattle, grain and other feedstuffs.
- The majority of feedlots are located in southern Queensland and New South Wales.
- There are currently about 600 accredited feedlots in Australia representing a total capacity of almost 860,000 cattle (ALFA Overview September 2002).
- Significant economic and market benefits are derived from feedlots in the form of job creation, regional growth, increased market stability and new market opportunities.
- The deregulation of the Japanese beef market in the early 1990s was the major driver behind the rapid expansion of the feedlot sector.
- In the past 5 years, the composition of cattle fed for specific markets has moved from 20% domestic/80% export, to 40% domestic/60% export.
- Supermarkets are currently drawing 40-50% of their meat supplies from feedlots. The main reason being a continuous supply of consistent quality product.
- The food sector is currently drawing 30-40% of product from the feedlot sector. This is projected to increase over the next 5 years.
Tips & Tools
MLA has prepared a number of Tips & Tools covering several topics associated with the feedlot industry. They are now available as downloadable PDFs.
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