Prominent beef industry stakeholder Don Mackay was formally approved by members as the new president of the Australian Lot Feeders Association at the grainfed industry peak council’s annual general meeting held this morning.

Mr Mackay, the chief executive and managing director of Rangers Valley feedlot near Glen Innes, succeeds Jim Cudmore, who retires after a three-year term as ALFA president.

Mr Mackay has served only a year as an ALFA councillor, but is widely respected for his depth of beef industry experience, in both extensive grassfed and intensive grainfed streams.

He is a former CEO and managing director of the Australian Agricultural Co, and had his industry roots in a successful agency career through Elders. He has not previously served in an industry peak council capacity.

Part of Mr Mackay’s rapid elevation can be explained by the retirement of ALFA council ‘war-horses’, Malcolm Foster and Sandy Maconochie, both former presidents of the organisation.

Jim Cudmore, who resigned recently as general manager of Kerwee Lotfeeders on Queensland’s Darling Downs, will continue on the ALFA board as immediate past president.

• Read Beef Central’s comprehensive profile on Mr Mackay tomorrow, and view a more extensive video on his thoughts on the challenges that lie ahead for the grainfed sector.