NSW lotfeeder Tess Herbert, has taken over the presidency of the peak cattle body the Australian Lot Feeders’ Association.
Mrs Herbert, who was previously vice-president to outgoing president Don Mackay of Rangers Valley, NSW, was elected at the ALFA annual general meeting in Toowoomba late last week.
Mrs Herbert and her husband Andrew operate two feedlots at Gundamain at Eugowra and Ladysmith, at Wagga Wagga, both in NSW.
Starting in the feedlot industry in the Year 2000 with 70 head, today the couple feed 6000 head at Gundamain, and 6500 head at Ladysmith.
Mrs Herbert joined the ALFA board filling a causal vacancy in 2009, before being elected at the following AGM.
And for the first time she will be accommpanied by two other female board members in Barb Maddon, Smithfield Feedlot, Proston, and Sherrill Stivano, Bellvue Feedlot, Roma.
Mrs Herbert said her priorities as president would be animal health and welfare, and promoting the importance of feedlots in the supply chain.
“I hope to bring great openness and transparency to the industry, and also some myth busting in what we do.
"Producers and processors need to recognise what role we play in the supply chain, so emphasising that is important to me," she said.
Mrs Herbert said last week's ALFA conference has a technology focus.
Headline speakers included Catapillar Global Mining’s, Damien Williams who discussed the possiblity of the feedlot industry integrating the technology and using driverless feed trucks, as successfully used by the mining industry.
As well, delegates heard the technology to detect pregnancies in hiefers inducted into feedlots continues to improve.
Outgoing president, Don Mackay, said feedlots were under ever increasing pressure from animal rights groups, who are doing their best to stop animal production.
“The key is to make sure we are good enough to stand the scrunity of reasonable people, as our intense industry is targetted,” he said.
