ALFA President Grant Garey addresses the opening session at BeefEx on the Gold Coast this morning

MORE than 1200 grainfed beef industry stakeholders from across Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia will focus attention on opportunities in fields like productivity, innovation and market access during a major industry event being staged on the Gold Coast this week.

Held every two years since 1991, BeefEx is Australia’s flagship conference for the grainfed beef sector and provides delegates with the opportunity to hear from high calibre speakers from overseas and across Australia, while exploring latest innovations and trends shaping the industry.

Driven by continued strong demand for quality grainfed beef and the relentless growth being seen in the grainfeeding sector’s capacity, this year’s event has set records for attendance – 50 percent higher than any previous gathering. Queensland accounted for 54pc of registrations, followed by New South Wales (25pc) and Victoria (11pc).

The feedlot industry has hit record capacity and numbers on feed this year, reaching 1.66 million head on feed and capacity just short of 1.8 million head at the end of the June quarter. That’s due both to existing yards continuing to add capacity as well as new yards coming on-stream. Based on current trends, by 2035 Australian feedlots could accommodate somewhere between two million and 2.5 million head, ALFA has suggested.

A series of awards recognising achievement within the grainfeeding industry will be made during the three day program, including feedlots of the year, feedlot innovation, Young Lotfeeder of the Year education, junior research and community heroes.

Over the next two days international guests and key players in the feedlot industry and across the Australian beef supply chain are converging on the Gold Coast Convention Centre for the celebration of the grainfed industry’s accomplishments.

An opportunity ‘to think about the bigger picture’

ALFA president Grant Garey opened this morning’s conference noting it was the “biggest BeefEx we’ve ever had”, reflecting the continued growth of the Australian lot feeding industry and the important role it plays in the broader beef supply chain.

In a world that was changing quickly he said lot feeders will have to keep navigating issues around market access, regulation, productivity, sustainability, workforce and technology, while continuing to produce the high-quality grain fed beef that Australia is known for.

He said ALFA and conferences like BeefEx helped to bring people together to step away from the day-to-day running of their businesses and think about the bigger picture.

He urged delegates to take the opportunity to “think about what we can do differently, and what we can do better”.

• Beef Central coverage of the event and the issues and topics raised starts today, and rolls-out over the next fortnight, via articles, video and podcasts.

Duane Reddel from stock handling equipment manufacturer Te Pari, left, with Smithfield Opal Creek feedlot staff Isaac Lynch and Harry Hall, looking at Te Pari’s Taurus Auto Sorter in the trade display area.

Keiran te Velde, BJA Stock & Station Agents Qld, Jason Johnstone, Cadelga Cattle Co Qld, Iain MacGillivray, Austasia Animal Products Qld, Kate and Maureen Johnstone, Cadelga Cattle Co Qld.

Vanessa and Roger Geldard, Roxborough Ag Qld, with Edwina Warby, Glynn Agriculture NSW, along with Will and Tim Drury from Condabri Beef Qld.

Emily Perkins, Ravensworth Agriculture NSW, Jim Guilfoyle, Coles Vic and Tom Wilding-Davies, Ravensworth Agriculture NSW.

Ed Chapman, Marcus Oldham, Josh Petty, Whyalla Beef Qld, Anthony Cash, Allied Beef Qld and Emilie Flattot, ProFeedlot Vic.

Lachie Brimblecombe from Mort & Co with Talbingo Pastoral Company’s Robert Bridle.

Ryan Brown from Smithfield Cattle Company with Matthew Downey from Stone Axe Pastoral company.