Scott Braund, was awarded an ALFA Life Membership at the BeefEx Gala Dinner 2026.

THE Australian Lot Feeders Association (ALFA) announced a new Life Member, one of the highest honours the Association can bestow, at last night’s BeefEx Gala Dinner.

Life Membership is reserved for those who have made an exceptional, significant and sustained contribution to the Australian feedlot industry and ALFA.

Granted only in exceptional circumstances at the sole discretion of the ALFA Board, it is assessed against three criteria: attitude and demeanour, animal welfare and industry standards, and leadership and role modelling.

This year, that honour was awarded to Scott Braund, who became just the 11th person in ALFA’s history to receive the distinction.

Mr Braund has been involved in the Australian feedlot industry for more than 30 years, including 23 consecutive years on ALFA Board after being elected in 2001, retiring from the Board at the 2024 AGM.

He served as ALFA Treasurer from 2006 to 2014 and has represented ALFA on the Feedlot Industry Accreditation Committee (FLIAC) since 2008, a contribution spanning 18 consecutive years to date.

Beyond his committee roles, Mr Braund chaired the Feedlot Management Committee and contributed to the R&D Committee, and has played a key role in shaping the industry through work including the 2015 ALFA Training Review, which helped pave the way for the FCDT project and Feedlot TECH; the 2015, 2020 and 2025 NFAS Reviews; the development of ALFA’s Shade Initiative; and ongoing work on heat load management.

He has also mentored countless people who have gone on to hold senior positions and become leaders in their own right within the feedlot industry.

The announcement was met with a standing ovation from delegates, a fitting tribute to a career that has left a lasting mark on the industry.

“The lot feeding sector is nimble and able to drive change very quickly and the people within it are very dynamic,” Mr Braund said when asked why he has dedicated 30 years to the sector.

“There’s been a lot of opportunities, we’ve seen multiple family organisations grow into mega organisations, which you don’t see in every industry and I think it’s been an exciting 30 years.”

ALFA President Grant Garey said Life Membership was not an award given lightly.

“It is the highest award available within the Australian feedlot industry and ALFA, and it recognises an exceptional, significant, sustained and high-quality contribution to the industry and its association,” Mr Garey said.

“When you look at Scott’s contribution over the past 30 years, it’s hard to find a better fit for those criteria.

“This award recognises 30 years of contribution, leadership and dedication to the Australian feedlot industry, and on behalf of ALFA, and the many people across our industry who have benefited from his contribution, his leadership and his friendship, congratulations, Scott.”

BeefEx is Australia’s flagship grain fed beef industry event, run by ALFA and held every two years, the conference brings together the entire grain fed supply chain, from lot feeders and service providers to processors, exporters, researchers and government, for three days of learning, innovation and networking.