THREE outstanding young grainfed beef industry stakeholders have been named grand finalists for  the Australian Lot Feeders Association’s Young Lot Feeder of the Year Award.

The award is designed to give emerging talent in the industry a platform to share their vision for the future of the industry. The overall winner will take home an $8000 study bursary to further their contribution to the feedlot sector.

Entrants were asked to submit an essay identifying a real or perceived challenge facing the feedlot industry, examining its implications, and proposing a workable solution.

Following formal interviews with an independent judging panel, and a presentation and meet-and-greet with the ALFA Board in Sydney, three candidates have been chosen as Grand Finalists. They are:

• Jack Berry, Teys Australia – Jindalee Feedlot Closing the Feedback Gap: Leveraging Kill-Floor Liveweight Data to Improve Feedlot Performance and Producer Decision-Making
• Lachlan Drury, Condabri Beef Proud to Show It: Raising Standards Across the Australian Feedlot Industry
• Zac McGee, Mort & Co – Grassdale Feedlot Moving the Australian Feedlot Industry to Better Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) Prevention and Preparedness

Jack Berry

The three will now undertake professional development training to further strengthen their leadership skills ahead of the final stage of the award. They will then head to ALFA’s BeefEx Conference on the Gold Coast next month, where the overall winner will be announced.

ALFA President Grant Garey said the Young Lot Feeder of the Year Award continues to showcase the calibre of talent coming through the grain fed beef sector.

Lachlan Drury

“This year we saw a record 18 entrants, each demonstrating real passion and ambition for the future of lot feeding, and it’s fantastic to see three of them progress to this next stage,” Mr Garey said.

“This award gives our industry’s rising leaders a genuine pathway to build their skills and advance their careers, while also giving the sector a chance to recognise the calibre of people coming through our ranks.”

Zac McGee

“We’re grateful to our long-standing sponsor and ALFA Platinum Member, Performance Feeds, for their continued backing of professional development for our industry’s next generation,” Mr Garey said.

Delivered as part of ALFA’s Recognition of Excellence Program, the award is one of several initiatives through which the lot feeding sector celebrates individuals and businesses striving for excellence.

• The overall winner will be announced at BeefEx 2026, held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre from 22–24 September 2026.