As an industry that is committed to continually improving, the Australian Lot Feeders’ Association (ALFA) is proud to recognise and celebrate business and individual excellence through its annual Recognition of Excellence Program.
This year, the businesses and individuals of the sector who selflessly aspire to develop themselves and industry practices for the betterment of the sector have the opportunity to nominate for:
- Young Lot Feeder of the Year Award
- Excellence in Feedlot Education Medal
- Community Heroes Award
- Award for Innovation
We took the opportunity to speak with two of the award winners from 2021, James Guest and Brenton Watterson, for a quick Q&A. Here, we find out why they entered the awards and what opportunities the process afforded them.
James Guest – Young Lot Feeder of the Year 2021
1. Tell us about your involvement in the feedlot industry and what you love about what you do.
I am the Feedlot Manager at Sapphire Feedlot for Smithfield Cattle Company. My role at Sapphire is to oversee the daily processes of the feedlot, backgrounding and farming operations. I work closely with our core division managers to help achieve the highest possible cattle performance outcomes. I have been in the feedlot industry for nine years.
I get great enjoyment out of what I do daily and the gratification of seeing results from the effort that is put into the cattle.
2. Why did you enter the Young Lot Feeder of the Year Award?
I entered the Young Lot Feeder of the Year Award for a couple of reasons. I hadn’t put myself out into the professional spotlight and with the age cutoff, I thought it would be a good time to do so. The main reason was that I had been in the industry for a period of time and had developed enough experience that I was comfortable in representing the industry with a solid knowledge base.
3. What did it mean to you to win?
Winning the Young Lot Feeder of the Year Award has given me the opportunity to demonstrate my gratitude towards those who have helped me get where I am today.
I am very lucky to work for such a progressive business that value their staff greatly and it’s an honour to hold the award while working under the Smithfield Cattle Company banner.
4. What did you gain from the experience and how has that helped you in your role day-to-day?
Being awarded the Young Lot Feeder of the Year has presented a magnitude of experiences and connections. It has helped me build industry relationships in the lot feeding sector and also into the broader beef industry.
5. Why is it important that we recognise industry up-and-comers?
It has become so important to recognise our industry up-and-comers and their achievements. More so, we need to continue to attract, engage, and further develop our future leaders in the industry. A major issue that we are faced with is the availability of skilled staff and attracting them to lot feeding. I feel that if we can demonstrate to people how through the process of learning lot feeding fundamentals and surrounding yourself with successful people, you can have a very rewarding career in an industry that has so much to offer.
6. What would you say to others who are thinking about entering, but are holding back?
My advice to those that are thinking about entering but are unsure is to have a crack. Find something that is relevant to your workplace or the industry that you are passionate about and could have a lasting contribution to the sector and showcase it to us. I believe that if you’re going to give something a go, do it with intent and confidence. If things get tough, don’t give up; see it as a challenge and reward yourself when you succeed. Finally, don’t wait for someone else to pave the way for you. Make your own path and champion it.
7. What’s next for you?
What’s next for me? I have been so fortunate to have such a rewarding career to date. I will always revert to what I believe, which is – Don’t be in a hurry! I find that so many young people want to accelerate or ‘fast-track’ everything they do, and in the process, I believe they are potentially missing out on some of the best bits. Right now, I am experiencing so many ‘best bits’ and am still learning so much about myself and lot feeding.
Brenton Watterson – Excellence in Feedlot Education Medal 2021
1. Tell us about your involvement in the feedlot industry and what you love about what you do.
I work for AACo’s Aronui Feedlot located on the Darling Downs. I am the Livestock Manager for Aronui and have been in this role for 2.5 years. I started my feedlot career in 2017 in the stock team and have been fortunate to have the opportunity to work my way up to leading hand and now my current role.
The thing I love most about working in the feedlot industry is the people that you meet and having the ability to help the people in your team reach their goals and provide them with the knowledge to take on any task given to them with confidence.
2. Why did you enter the Excellence in Feedlot Education Medal?
I entered the Feedlot Education Medal competition because I think it is a great way to promote and recognise training opportunities in the feedlot industry.
3. What did it mean to you to win?
Winning the Excellence in Feedlot Education Medal was an honour, and it has given me confidence to step out of my comfort zone in everyday life.
4. What did you gain from the experience and how has that helped you in your role day-to-day?
Since winning the Education Medal, I have pushed myself to gain more exposure to different parts of the feedlot here at Aronui and hopefully that will help me to continue to work my way up to Feedlot Manager one day.
5. Why is it important to recognise industry up-and-comers and those who are investing in themselves through further training?
I believe it is important to recognise up and comers in the industry because it creates more opportunities to promote the feedlot industry, helps to retain people currently in feedlotting and gain more interest with new staff entering the industry.
6. What would you say to others who are thinking about entering, but are holding back?
My advice to people wanting to enter but just can’t pull the trigger is, jump in and give it a go. The networking and incentives are invaluable and it’s not as scary as it might seem.
7. What’s next for you?
The next step for me in my feedlot career is to continue to train and develop my skills so that I can take on a higher level of responsibility and help staff to reach their goals by providing them with training opportunities, like I have been fortunate to receive.
Entries for the 2022 Young Lot Feeder of the Year Award and the Excellence in Feedlot Education Medal close on June 30. More information about the awards and the entry forms can be found on the ALFA website.
These awards are proudly sponsored by:
