Regional collaboration giving producers clearer feedback, stronger connections and a reason to celebrate.

When Bindaree Food Group and Colin Say & Co launched their feedlot trial in 2024, the goal was simple: create a practical way for commercial producers to see how their cattle perform all the way through to carcase. Just a year on, entry numbers doubled and the trial has become a key date on the calendar for breeders across the New England and North West of NSW.

Cattle entered in the program are inducted into Bindaree’s Myola Feedlot and fed for 100 to 120 days, across clearly defined classes that reflect real grain‑fed market opportunities. Throughout the program, teams track growth, feed efficiency, marbling and yield, turning day‑to‑day feedlot performance and carcase data into meaningful feedback for each participating producer.

For Bindaree and Colin Say & Co, that information is not just numbers on a page – it is a direct link between on‑farm decisions and the beef reaching domestic and export customers. The trial helps identify cattle that combine performance, carcase quality and eating quality traits, supporting the consistent, big‑flavoured beef that underpins Bindaree’s brand promise.

The annual awards dinner brought this story to life, turning data into a shared celebration of the people behind the cattle. Hosted in Inverell, the evening brought together producers, agents, sponsors and the Bindaree and Colin Say & Co teams to recognise stand‑out pens and individual animals, as well as the effort it took to get them there.

This year the event was guided by MC, Lindsay Douglas, and featured a panel discussion with Bindaree’s CEO, Andrew McDonald, General Manager Livestock, Zac McInerney, and Colin Say & Co Agent, Ben McMahon.

The atmosphere in the room reflected that mix of insight and enjoyment – from the moment guests sat down to plates of Bindaree’s big, bold beef, the focus was on connection and pride in the region’s product. Behind the trophies and photos was a strong sense of community, with families, younger producers and long‑term clients all represented at the tables.

Sponsors also played an important role in making the trial and the dinner possible, backing everything from data capture and animal health through to livestock transport and venue logistics. Their support helps ensure the program can keep evolving, expanding classes and refining the way feedback is presented to producers in future years.

By opening Myola’s gates to more entries, sharing objective feedback and creating space to celebrate the results, the program is strengthening the link between paddock and plate and rewarding the producers who are committed to lifting the bar, year after year.