Accreditation’s the right fit no matter the size of the feedlot

Mr Flynn runs both Glenfyne Feedlot and neighbouring Glenfyne Farm, at Narrandera.

Glenfyne has a capacity of 960 head, placing it at the lower end of the scale size-wise by Australian standards.

However, activity never ceases for Mr Flynn and his two full-time staff, with the facility running cattle on feed every week of the year.

Glenfyne buys stock from within a 300-kilometre radius – an area stretching from Bathurst to Bendigo.

“I’d say 70 per cent of the cattle come out of saleyards and 30pc are purchased direct,” he said.

He prefers British breeds – mostly Angus and Angus-cross. Cattle are bought at the milk or two-tooth stage, fed for at least 70 days and turned off at an average weight of 520 kilograms.

“We supply predominantly the domestic market, including the supermarkets, and if there’s an opportunity we might look to do some export,” he said.

Glenfyne was established in 2010 and immediately opted in to the voluntary accreditation scheme. NFAS contributed valuable guidance and market access to his operation. Mr Flynn could demonstrate he managed his feedlot responsibly.

“It provides a quality system that gives lot feeders guidelines to ensure we not only produce quality, certified grain-fed beef but also meet other stakeholders’ needs in terms of food safety, environmental sustainability and animal welfare,” he said.

He said NFAS gave market access and set minimum standards for beef described as “grain-fed”.

“NFAS is backed by AUS-MEAT and is independently audited, which gives it credence and integrity,” he said.

“If you look at the development of systems and food safety, environmental sustainability, animal welfare and more in the world market, I can only see it becoming more important for the grain-fed beef industry.”

He said the changes to NFAS announced in November would improve the system and ensure it met the needs of stakeholders, and operators had to educate themselves on the changes.

“At Glenfyne, we didn’t have to make big changes to what we do on a day to day basis. Rather, what and how we investigate and report things has changed.”

Mr Flynn said maintaining a consistent quality system across the industry was key.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re feeding 500 or 50,000, you still have to have the same assurance system in place if you want to deliver a certified product to the market.”