SIGNIFICANT efficiencies in beef production are up for grabs by matching management practices to cattle’s optimum endpoints, according to this year’s Young Lot Feeder Achievement Award recipient Emily Pollock.
Ms Pollock, from Mort and Co’s Gunnee Feedlot at Delungra in Northern NSW, collected the prestigious award, sponsored by Performance Feeds, at this week’s BeefEx feedlot conference on the Gold Coast.
The Young Lot Feeder award is designed to recognise and develop future leaders in the feedlot game and a long list of former winners who have gone on to impressive careers were recognised ahead of the presentation of the 2016 award.
Ms Pollock gave a presentation about what she sees as the enormous value to be had throughout the red meat supply chain of mandatory grading systems based on yield and objective measurements.
Carcase grading would become more transparent, accurate and efficient with the implementation of advanced technologies, she said.
Processors would benefit from more carcases meeting specifications and ‘the more confidence processors have in our product the more likely they are to purchase at premium prices’, she said.
Entrants were asked to provide a solution to a current industry problem and Ms Pollock said while Meat Standards Australia was leading the way globally as a voluntary eating quality system, the shortfall was true red meat yield was not taken into account.
Mandatory grading systems based on yield and objective measurements would allow for feedlot management practices to change so animals could be marketed on a more individual basis allowing for improvement in efficiencies of beef production, she said.
The other two finalists for the 2016 award were Jeff Schuller, assistant manager of Coonamble Feedlot and Amanda Moohan, Camm Ag Group and founder of the Women of Lotfeeding Group.
A 22-year-old who has already put time in as a livestock supervisor at a feedlot has been awarded the 2016 Zoetis Education Medal.
The award recognises young feedlot workers enthusiasm and their commitment to the beef industry.
Cailin O’Connor works for Andrew and Tess Herbert at their southern NSW Gundamain feedlot, Eugowra.
Zoetis business manager feedlot Andrew Malloy said Ms O’Connor had recently fulfilled the role of livestock supervisor at Gundamain while the permanent supervisor was traveling in the US, a significant challenge for young person.
“She is very passionate about animal performance and welfare in the feedlot and we are convinced she has bright future in the industry,” he said.
Ms O’Connor said the supportive community that made up the feedlot industry made it a wonderful sector to work in.
“They all help each other and it offers so much for a young person looking for a career,” she said.
Brendan Orr, from Grassdale Feedlot, near Dalby in Queensland, was runner up.
Mr Orr has been with Grassdale since 2012 and he too has now completed his certification three in feedlot operations and recently been promoted to the role of feed and milling co-ordinator.
The Coopers Animal Health award for excellence in HGP inplant technique at induction was collected by the Herbert family’s Gundamain feedlot.
