Nourishing Cattle, Land and Communities
Australians love their beef
Australian beef farmers are proud of their beef and its reputation
as one of the finest quality meats in the world.
What makes Australian beef so good?
A large part of what makes Australian beef so good is how cattle are fed and nourished in Australia. All Australian cattle are raised on grass. While some cattle spend their whole lives on grass, a large percentage (around 40%) are transitioned to a grain-based diet, resulting in the term “grain fed beef”.
Certified Australian grain fed beef is world class – produced using professional systems, high quality standards and progressive research and development.
The grain fed beef industry attracts passionate people who care for animals, are conscious of maintaining a sustainable environment, and aim to produce a quality product for consumers.
This website has been created by the Australian Lot Feeders’ Association (ALFA) on behalf of Australian grain fed beef producers to provide consumers with an understanding of how Australian grain fed beef is produced and the people who produce it.
Latest stories from those who produce, consume and cook with grain fed beef...
Turning manure from a waste product into an abundant resource
A commitment to making a genuine contribution to environmental sustainability and a vision to add value along the whole supply chain has seen grain fed beef producers Mort & Co take on an innovative project
Why cattle are more than just a commodity
Talk to any beef producer in Australia and you’ll quickly come to understand that raising cattle is not a job, it’s a way of life. Whether they’re a small hobby farmer or one of Australia’s
A love affair with grain fed beef
After more than 20 years in the feedlot industry, Tess Herbert’s resume reads of hard work, self-investment, and being open to opportunities when they come knocking. From humble beginnings as a teacher in rural New
Keeping the cattle happy
No doubt you’ve heard the saying ‘happy wife, happy life’, but when you’re a grain fed beef producer (or a lot feeder as they’re referred to) there’s a more important motto to live by –
Preparing cattle for the feedlot
Grazing on the nation’s fertile pastures is where all Australian cattle begin their lives. But for a percentage of Australia’s herd, there comes a time when they transition from grass fed to a grain-based diet
Nine environmental benefits of grain fed beef that might surprise you
Today’s consumers like to know how the food they’re eating impacts the environment, where it came from, and how it was grown. It might surprise you to know, contrary to popular belief, growing grain fed
Raising the ‘steaks’ in premium dining
A relationship between a renowned chef and his beef supplier has given new depth to the phrase “paddock to plate” and the opportunity for a Brisbane restaurant to serve some of the most extraordinary steak
Is grain fed beef good for you?
Australian beef is recognised as among the safest in the world with stringent control systems guaranteeing quality since the 1990s, but is grain-fed beef nutritious? A healthy balanced diet is something every Australian strives for,
What do cattle eat at a feedlot?
The most common grains fed to cattle in Australian feedlots are wheat, barley and sorghum. Less frequently fed, due to their availability, are lupins, millet, rice, rye, triticale, corn and oats. Grains are either rolled
