Stockyard’s General Manager of Livestock Operations, Marcus Doumany was elected to join the Australian Lot Feeders’ Association (ALFA) Council last month. ALFA is Australia’s peak industry body for feedlots and plays a critical role in representing and promoting our industry and championing continuous improvement.

Having pursued a career in agriculture across many parts of Australia, Marcus had been nominated for his expertise in lot feeding and broad depth of experience across the entire livestock production supply chain.

Marcus commented on his recent appointment saying, “I am very excited to be part of such a well-respected peak industry council and I feel privileged to be contributing to this industry alongside like-minded and passionate directors.”

“It gives me great joy to give back to an industry that has given me so much in my career to date. Lot feeding provides a considerable amount to rural and regional communities in Australia as well as the broader Australian agricultural sector.”

Since joining Stockyard in November 2022, Marcus has led our production team who consistently produce Australia’s most awarded beef. Under his guidance, we have grown our breeding herd this year, adding nearly 900 breeders to our program. He has also managed several of critical innovation projects such as our asparagopsis trial, testing the efficacy and sensory impacts of the natural methane inhibiting feed additive; a major energy audit and MEQ Live, the ultrasound technology that may provide us a prediction of key carcass attributes prior to processing.

Importantly however, he has strengthened Stockyard’s whole supply chain approach with a keen focus on how breeding connects right through to the customer.

“Working with Stockyard has highlighted that lot feeding is a key step in an intricate supply chain that is aimed at delivering the best possible product, all year round, to consumers both domestically and worldwide. ALFA plays such an important role in representing this part of the supply chain, one which has a role in connecting downstream stakeholders, such as our customers, with our upstream producers,” said Marcus.

Prior to joining Stockyard, Marcus has managed large pastoral operations for Australian Agricultural Company (AACo), including the responsibility of their Wagyu breeding and backgrounding operations. He then went on to lead and manage AACo’s Goonoo Feedlot – a 20,000 head Wagyu feedlot. Marcus then moved with his family to Western Australia, where he was responsible for strategy development of new beef supply chain projects in his capacity as Business Development Manager for Harvest Road. Most recently, he was the feedlot manager at Grassdale – an 80,000 head feedlot operated by Mort & Co.

Involvement in the progression of the lot feeding and the red meat industry has long been part of Stockyard’s values. So much so, Marcus’ appointment continues Stockyard’s legacy of continuous representation on the Council since the association’s inception.