Key facts
- Event
- Coopers Animal Health Gala Dinner at BeefEx 2026
- Date
- Wednesday, September 23
- Venue
- Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre
- Award
- Australian Feedlot of the Year
- Number of finalists
- Seven
- Finalists
- Struggle Downs, Gundamain, Teys Condamine, Cadelga, Sapphire, Waggaba, Wainui
Background
The Coopers Animal Health Gala Dinner is one of the hallmark events of BeefEx 2026, the biennial conference of the Australian lotfeeding industry. The dinner will be held on Wednesday, September 23, at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, within the broader September 22-24 conference.
The event will gather feedlot operators, producers, researchers, students, and supply chain partners from across Australia to honour excellence and celebrate the sector's top achievements. ALFA president Grant Garey said the event embodies an industry built on innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Among the awards to be presented is the Australian Feedlot of the Year, with the winner chosen from seven finalists: Struggle Downs Feedlot, Gundamain Feedlot, Teys Condamine Feedlot, Cadelga Feedlot, Sapphire Feedlot, Waggaba Feedlot, and Wainui Feedlot.
Current situation
Cadelga Feedlot, based near Inglewood in Southeast Queensland, is a family-owned business built from a greenfield site around 2018-2019. Run by Jason and Maureen Johnstone and their son Jedd, it has a 4450 SCU license and feeds for markets ranging from 70-day domestic supermarket supply for Coles to 450-day EU Wagyu. The operation employs eight local people.
Gundamain Pastoral Co, operated by the Herbert family in Central West NSW for over 150 years, established its feedlot near Eugowra in 2000. Now licensed for 6000 head, it is run by Andrew and Tess Herbert, their daughter Caitlin and her husband Edward. Recent upgrades include a custom dashboard integrating security cameras with biosecurity check-ins, and truck unloading times have been cut from over two hours to five to ten minutes.
Sapphire Feedlot at Goondiwindi, part of the Smithfield Cattle Company aggregation, has grown from about 6000 standard cattle units to 26,000 head on feed over the past decade. Manager James Guest said they are expanding again, hoping to move cattle into new pens by early September, bringing total capacity to roughly 42,000 head.
Teys Condamine, a 30,000-head capacity yard in the Teys Australia group, has been consistently feeding cattle since 1989. It has a team of about 35 people and feeds cattle for domestic and export markets, with all cattle processed at Teys Australia plants. Manager Phil Lambert noted the team was the category winner at the last BeefEx two years ago.
Waggaba Feedlot near Cecil Plains started operations in 2022 with six pens and a license for 999 head. Manager Melinda Fanning said they are currently running just on 3000 head and finalising an expansion to bring capacity to 4000 head. The feedlot does not have a mill on site; commodities and concentrates are supplied by Woods Stockfeeds in Goondiwindi.
Struggle Downs Feedlot, run by Darren Hamblin and his wife as a family operation, holds around 2500 head when full. Hamblin, who had cattle custom fed for 25 years, built his own feedlot three years ago to implement his ideas, including an automated robotic feeding system using Austrian-made Shuttle Eco feed robots.
| Feedlot | Location | Capacity | Key detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cadelga | Near Inglewood, Southeast Queensland | 4450 SCU license | Family-owned, built 2018-2019 |
| Gundamain | Near Eugowra, Central West NSW | 6000 head (approved for 12,000) | Operated by Herbert family for over 150 years |
| Sapphire | Goondiwindi, Queensland | 26,000 head on feed (expanding to ~42,000) | Part of Smithfield Cattle Company |
| Teys Condamine | Condamine | 30,000-head capacity | Feeding since 1989 |
| Waggaba | Near Cecil Plains | ~3,000 head (expanding to 4,000) | Started 2022 |
| Struggle Downs | Not specified | ~2,500 head when full | Uses robotic feeding system |
Impacts
The finalists represent a range of feedlot sizes and operational models, from the relatively new Cadelga and Waggaba operations to the long-established Gundamain and Teys Condamine. Their recognition highlights the diversity of approaches in the Australian lotfeeding industry, including family-owned businesses, large-scale operations, and innovative technology adoption.
Several finalists emphasised the importance of local employment and community support. Cadelga employs eight local people, Gundamain sources grain and cattle locally, and Waggaba's manager noted the value of bringing staff to BeefEx for learning. These practices contribute to the economic and social fabric of their regions.
The awards night also provides networking and learning opportunities for industry participants. As multiple finalists noted, BeefEx is a chance to catch up with peers, hear from experts, and explore new technology, which can influence future operational improvements across the sector.
Future outlook
Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.
If the expansion plans proceed as described, Sapphire Feedlot could reach about 42,000 head on feed by early September, and Gundamain could expand from 6000 to 12,000 head after receiving council approval. Waggaba is also finalising an expansion to 4000 head, which may improve processing efficiency.
The adoption of covered housing at Gundamain and robotic feeding at Struggle Downs could set precedents for other feedlots, potentially influencing animal welfare and efficiency standards. However, the outcomes of these trials remain to be seen.
The winner of the Australian Feedlot of the Year will be announced at the gala dinner on September 23. The recognition may enhance the winning feedlot's reputation and could influence industry practices, but the specific effects are not yet known.
Source: queenslandcountrylife.com.au
