The Australian Lot Feeders’ Association’s (ALFA) 2026 BeefEx Conference brought together more than 1,200 members of the grainfed beef industry on the Gold Coast this week, with a program focussed on the opportunities and challenges facing the industry.
Held from 22-24 September at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, BeefEx is Australia’s flagship grainfed beef industry event, attracting attendees from across the entire supply chain. This year’s event was the biggest in the conference’s history, with attendance 50 per cent higher than the previous record set in 2024.
Among the industry representatives taking part in the program was our Whyalla Beef General Manager, Tony Fitzgerald. Tony joined the panel for Feedlot ’40 – From Induction to Exit and the Consumer Beyond, a session about what feedlotting could look like in 2040. Fronted by futurist Anders Sörman-Nilsson, the session hosted scientists, lot feeders and industry experts to discuss emerging innovations and blue-sky technologies that could shape the future of the Australian beef industry.
The broader BeefEx program consisted of sessions by respected industry speakers, covering productivity, innovation, market access, and technology.
Delegates also had the opportunity to connect at the BeefEx Welcome Function and explore the Trade Show, which welcomed a record-breaking number of exhibitors, showcasing the latest developments in feedlot technology, genetics, animal health and equipment. The conference program also recognised achievements across the industry through the ALFA awards, including the Australian Feedlot of the Year and Young Lot Feeder of the Year.
As a biennial event, BeefEx is an opportunity for the industry to come together and catch up on the updates, innovations, trends and developments of the past two years. Thank you to ALFA for hosting another spectacular event. We’re already looking forward to 2028.
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