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Madden born for the role

By Fiona Gowers

Barb Madden was destined to head the Australian Lot Feeders Association (ALFA).

Born into the beef breeding/processing industry, her free time as a child was spent drafting cattle and cleaning troughs on Smithfield at Proston.

Mrs Madden’s grandfather, John Alfred Smith had emigrated to the town in the South Burnett region from Ireland in 1922 and, in 1928, opened his first butcher shop.

Her father, Robert Smith helped run the family’s breeding operation in the 1960s and 70s and then, realising the industry’s potential, built Smithfield Feedlot in 1986.

From humble beginnings of 120 head on feed, to having two feed yards with a combined capacity of 38,500, Smithfield Cattle Company has, for 35 years, been at the forefront of forging new paths and best practice in the lotfeeding industry.

“It’s an amazing industry right through the supply chain and we have kept our eyes on where the profit drivers are and worked with that,” Mrs Madden said.

“But, as my Dad would always say, ‘you will go through a lot of dry gullies’.”

Indeed, there have been tough times to endure.

The 1990 beef price crash left, at one point, just six head on feed, while a big downturn five years later saw grain-fed prices plummet.

Sandra Shearer-Smith, Mrs Madden’s mother, remembers a traumatic call from the bank at that time instructing her to stop writing cheques.

“It was a phone call no business ever wants to receive from their bank manager,“ she said. “But through sheer hard work and a little divine intervention, Smithfield came through the crashes on a mission to expand.“ The Smithfield Group has grown to include Sapphire Feedlot at Goondiwindi, with Mrs Madden as director of corporate affairs.

Her husband, Don and two brothers, Jason and Andrew also work in the business.

Pregnant with her first child in 1999, Mrs Madden left her job as an accountant in Charleville and returned home to upgrade Smithfield’s bookkeeping, from a handwritten cash journal to a computerised system.

“Many of the processes, reconciliations and software we adopted 22 years ago with 5000 head on feed have stood the test of time,” she said.

“And, many are still used today with 40,000 head on feed across two feedlots.”

In 2008 Mrs Madden was accepted into the Australian Rural Leadership Program (ARLP), where she met inspirational people who were strong, courageous and bold in their vision for rural and regional Australia.

She said receiving a place on the ARLP prompted her to become active in creating alliances with indigenous cattle producers so both could work together for common commercial goals.

It also provided a greater understanding of the Australian beef supply chain and the critical role feedlots play.

“In 2009, I created the Beef Industry Indigenous Alliance, where I partnered with local and national indigenous land owners to create a paddock to plate-style program,” Mrs Madden said.

“Cattle were sourced from indigenous land, along with their key workmen, who travelled to our property to gain an insight into what feedlots were all about.

“It was the perfect alliance - we needed the supply of quality cattle and they appreciated gaining an understanding of their cattle market options.”

This project preceded one of Mrs Madden’s career highlights, which was receiving the 2009 Qld Rural Woman of the Year award.

In 2012 she was invited to become an external ALFA events committee member. Three years later, she was elected to the ALFA Council and, fittingly, nominated as president in 2021.

“I have the privilege of working alongside industry colleagues to ensure the lotfeeding sector remains an exciting and sustainable industry into the future,“ Mrs Madden said.

“I am also incredibly humbled knowing grain-fed cattle are feeding families around the world wholesome and nutritious meals.

“And, every person working in the lotfeeding industry, whether they are a pen rider, truck driver, water trough cleaner, or accountant, is playing their part in feeding the world.“

Smithfield Cattle Company director of corporate affairs Barb Madden and CEO Andrew Shearer-Smith.

New chief is determined to take ALFA to the next level

By Fiona Gowers

To lead in animal welfare, environmental and production standards - underpinned by a razor-sharp focus on sustainability - is a key goal of the Australian Lot Feeders Association.

This is according to Queensland lotfeeder Barb Madden, who was last month elected ALFA’s president at the grain-fed beef industry peak council’s annual general meeting.

Mrs Madden resumed the position after Bryce Camm, Wonga Plains near Dalby, decided to retire after completing his three-year term.

Amanda Moohen, meanwhile, was elected treasurer and Grant Garey and Paul Vogt were re-elected as vice-presidents.

Mrs Madden said ALFA’s mission was to deliver a profitable and sustainable industry that produced quality grain-fed beef to the highest ethical, environmental, humane animal welfare standards.

She said the association worked tirelessly to establish effective and strategic policy and advocacy aimed at representing members’ interests at a government and industry level.

“We have been on the front foot in driving policy on good animal welfare and environmental practices, as well as attracting, retaining and growing a professional and skilled feedlot industry workforce,” Mrs Madden said.

“ALFA directs and oversees grain-fed cattle transaction levy investments through Industry Service Providers to maximise returns for the feedlot sector and broader industry.”

Mrs Madden said the ALFA fully supported the industry’s target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030 and was committed to identifying best practice measures to help feedlots reduce their carbon footprint.

“ALFA has launched a dedicated Carbon Neutral Hub on our website to help lot feeders understand what it means to be carbon neutral, how to account for it and provide the tools to help reduce carbon emissions.”

According to Mrs Madden, many Australian feedlots have invested in renewable energy infrastructure that can address carbon and “there is a lot of interest in innovative feed additives that can reduce methane”.

She said the sector has had a long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship through the industry’s quality assurance program - The National Feedlot Accreditation Scheme - which has included adherence to environmental controls since its inception more than 25 years ago.

“Many feedlots have surrounding land and want to use it well. Being sustainable and a focus on intergenerational land management is front and centre.

“Our support in creating a carbon neutral industry enables ongoing trust but, most importantly, will support a resilient and sustainable feedlot sector into the future.”

ALFA’s commitment to the health and welfare of cattle has continued since its establishment 50 years ago and remains a constant on its agenda.

“We have recently launched the ALFA Shade Initiative that encourages all Australian feedlots to make a pledge to provide cattle under their care with access to shade by 2026,” Mrs Madden said.

MLA research shows shade has positive outcomes on cattle welfare and comfort and also indicates that shade can result in productivity gains in terms of increased feed intake and hence weight gain at slaughter.

“Looking after the cattle in our care - through continual improvement and operating to the highest standards - is ingrained in the DNA of our industry,” Mrs Madden said.

Queensland lotfeeder Barb Madden, Smithfield Cattle Company, Proston, was last month elected president of the Australian Lot Feeders Association.