Environmental performance review of Australian feedlots

The Environmental performance review of Australian feedlots project conducted an environmental performance review of the feedlot sector and, where possible, compared results to previous work.

Summary

MLA has previously conducted environmental performance surveys of other sectors of the red meat industry, in particular, the red meat processing sector. MLA has not conducted similar studies for the feedlot sector. This project conducted an environmental performance review of the feedlot sector and, where possible, compared results to previous work. The most significant previous study was done in 1990 when the “Lot Feeding in Australia” report was produced. That survey gained the first insight into the general management and husbandry practices adopted by Australian lot feeders. Although it was not possible to calculate key performance indicators on environmental performance at this stage, it is clear that the feedlot sector has made significant improvements to environmental performance since the 1990 study. It is recommended that processes be put in place to allow the calculation of key performance indicators for future feedlot environmental performance reviews.

When: 10 May 2012 to 30 April 2013

Contact: PJ Watts, A Ni Cheallaigh, JG Valentine, RW Tucker and MF O’Keefe

Collaborator:  FSA Consulting

More information

For more information please read the final report summary and download the final report (B.FLT.0468) (PDF, 14.6 MB) from the Meat & Livestock Australia website.