ALFA young lotfeeder finalists Ben Strahley (top left), Cameron Ninness, Mitchell Elliott, Jessica Wilcock (bottom left), Caitlin Herbert and Mitchell Elliott. Photos: ALFA

THE Australian Lot Feeders’ Association (ALFA) has narrowed down the talent pool for its Young Lot Feeder of the Year award, with six finalists announced this week.

After an exhaustive first round of judging by the independent judging panel, the entrants have been announced as national finalists in the 2022 award that is judged on passion, leadership, and vision for lot feeding.

The finalists in the ALFA Young Lot Feeder Award 2022 (in alphabetical order) are:

• Ben Strahley, Smithfield Cattle Co. – Sapphire QLD

• Caitlin Herbert, Gundamain Pastoral NSW

• Cameron Ninness, Teys Aust – Jindalee NSW

• Jessica Wilcock, Teys Aust – Charlton VIC

• Kailen Hodgson, Smithfield Cattle Co. – Smithfield QLD

• Mitchell Elliott, AACo – Aronui QLD

The Award is designed to encourage emerging industry leaders to contribute their ideas and vision for lot feeding at a national level.

ALFA seeks and fosters qualities that empower participants to think outside the square, to be bold in their ideas and continuously develop and challenge their thinking about the Australian lot feeding industry and its future potential.

ALFA President, Barb Madden, said it was always a very exciting time of year, when ALFA showcases the rising young talent in the industry.

“Year after year the award attracts a very high calibre of individual, which tells us that our sector is making inroads in attracting, retaining and upskilling great talent,” Ms Madden said.

“This Award sits within a greater Recognition of Excellence Program that ALFA delivers on behalf of industry and is one of the many ways the lot feeding sector seeks to recognise and reward individuals and businesses that strive for excellence.

“We thank our long-time sponsor and ALFA Platinum Member, Performance Feeds, who have continued to support the professional development of lot feeding talent.

“It is extremely pleasing to be able to highlight the achievements and aspirations of our future leaders through this Award.”

Finalists now progress to a second judging round, including an interview with the independent judging panel in August. The outcome of this round will determine who will progress in the competition as one of three Grand Finalists.

The winner receives $5,000 towards undertaking a professional development course or overseas study trip and a grain fed beef industry scholarship to attend the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation’s TRAIL: for emerging leaders program, valued at $10,450.

James Guest, 2021 Young Lot Feeder, will present the Winner’s Cup to the winner of the 2022 ALFA Young Lot Feeder of the Year Award at the ALFA BeefEx 22 Conference to be held at Brisbane Showgrounds, Queensland on 18-20 October 2022.