Why FeedSafe accreditation matters, and what it means for livestock producers
Why we invest in quality assurance, and what independent accreditation actually guarantees for the producers who use our products.
As CEO of LivestockIQ, I am often asked why we invest so much time, money and focus into quality assurance, and why our FeedSafe accreditation is such an important part of that.
For us, FeedSafe is not a sticker on a drum. It is a daily commitment to how we operate and the level of responsibility we hold to livestock, producers, and the wider red meat and wool industries.
That responsibility does not stop at our own gate. Every drum we manufacture ends up inside a production system somebody else is accountable for, and accreditation is how we show our part of that chain holds up.
What FeedSafe is, and why it matters
FeedSafe is the Australian stockfeed industry’s quality assurance program, developed by the Stock Feed Manufacturers’ Council of Australia (SFMCA).
Built on a HACCP framework, FeedSafe sets national standards to reduce risk in the manufacture and use of animal feeds and supplements. It is a risk-based system, which means it targets the points in a process where something can actually go wrong.
Accreditation is not granted on a claim. Manufacturers are assessed against defined requirements, and held to them.
To be accredited, manufacturers must meet strict requirements for:
- Ingredient sourcing and verification
- Process control and batching accuracy
- Storage, sanitation and cross-contamination prevention
- Traceability and documentation
- Staff training and manufacturing hygiene
Verified, not self-declared
These principles align with the way we have always operated: fine filtration, certificates of purity, rigorous QA checks and tight batching controls.
Every batch
Independently analysed
NATA-accredited laboratory analysis runs alongside our own QA checks, not instead of them.
Independent testing is what separates a verified result from an internal one.
National
Benchmark, not a claim
FeedSafe sets standards through the SFMCA, so our processes are measured against the industry rather than against ourselves.
A shared benchmark also means it can evolve as risks and science change.
Why producers care: trust, risk reduction and market confidence
When a producer chooses a supplement, they are trusting that product to support animal health, performance and their own business reputation. Ingredient mistakes, contamination or poor hygiene can have serious consequences, from health issues to residue risk to lost market access.
For customers supplying branded beef programs, export markets or audited schemes, the reassurance of a FeedSafe-accredited manufacturer ensures there is no weak link in their QA chain.
FeedSafe reduces that risk by mandating:
- Verified, compliant raw materials
- Clean, controlled manufacturing conditions
- Documentation and traceability for every batch
- Systems that minimise error and protect animal health
Where it shows up in the plant
FeedSafe supports our broader commitment to quality in three core areas.
Ingredient integrity
- Certificates of purity and fine filtration across all products.
- Formalised supplier approvals and specifications.
- Defined handling of non-conforming materials.
Process control
- Accurate batching and equipment calibration.
- Documentation on every production run.
- The consistency producers rely on, from northern breeder programs to southern sheep operations.
Health, hygiene and plant standards
- Clean-in and clean-out procedures.
- Pest management and product segregation.
- Contamination controls across the facility.
What FeedSafe means for our customers, in practical terms
For producers, this accreditation delivers several clear, day-to-day benefits.
| Benefit | What it means on-farm |
|---|---|
| Confidence in what is in the drum | Ingredients, concentrations and quality are verified and audited. |
| Consistency from batch to batch | Products behave as expected, which matters most through seasonal and nutritional swings. |
| Lower risk of contamination or error | Systems, training and hygiene standards minimise mistakes, and let us respond quickly if one occurs. |
| Alignment with QA and market requirements | Supports your own QA story, from branded beef programs through to processor expectations. |
| A manufacturer that takes responsibility seriously | FeedSafe reinforces our role in animal welfare, food safety and supply chain integrity. |
Industry leadership: setting a higher standard
Many of our customers supply premium, audited and export markets. Accreditation is not about ticking a box, it is about leadership.
Supporting audited market programs
- Supplements do not compromise the QA status you already hold.
- Integrity is maintained across the entire supply chain.
- Producers can meet rising expectations for transparency and quality.
Leading, not just complying
- Continually lifting manufacturing standards and sharing best practice.
- Active participation in peak industry groups and QA forums.
- Science-driven formulations using trace elements, amino acids and electrolytes.
- Transparency, so producers can make informed choices.
Looking ahead, and what we are committing to
Expectations around food safety, traceability and responsible manufacturing are only increasing. FeedSafe provides a shared national benchmark that can evolve with new risks, new science and regulatory change.
For us, staying FeedSafe accredited is not optional. It is core to how we operate and how we support our customers, now and into the future.
Our commitment is simple: to keep delivering the highest standards in production, manufacturing, hygiene and quality, and to play a genuine leadership role in strengthening Australia’s livestock supplementation industry.
- Highest standards in production and manufacturing
- Hygiene and quality controls at every step
- Independent, audited verification
- Genuine leadership in Australia’s supplementation industry