Feed Central wins Toowoomba business of the year 2024

Analysing hay to get the best nutrition for your livestock is how this Toowoomba business was nominated for three awards, but ended up winning four. Find out who Toowoomba’s business of 2024 is:

Driving out towards Dalby along the Warrego Hwy, it is hard to miss the big signs covering the back wall of Feed Central’s sheds.

Within the sheds are tall bales of hay, a friendly cat called Stripes and the affectionate dog Annie.

Both these animals have found a home among the hay which comes and goes, measured and tested for optimised nutritional value, to feed livestock all across Australia.

After 22-years Tim and Megan Ford’s family owned business has been recognised for its achievements in the region, filling its table on Saturday night with awards at the Little Pig Consulting Business Excellence Awards of 2024.

Feed Central wins four titles at the Little Pig Consulting Business Excellence Awards including Business of the Year, Tuesday, October 22, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Feed Central took home best business in the agricultural, regional, innovation technology categories, and then finally took to the stage to claim the grand prize of business of the year.

“It’s a lot of recognition for a lot of the hard work we’ve done,” national sales manager David Clothier said.

“It’s an extraordinary outcome and the team is very proud of it.”

The Feed Central team was over-the-moon they won “four out of three” awards, he said.

Feed Central national sales manager David Clothier (left) and operations manager Mark Gierke as the Charlton business win four titles at the Little Pig Consulting Business Excellence Awards including Business of the Year, Tuesday, October 22, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

In her first few months on the job, it was marketing and communications manager Cara Stewart who took the nomination application to the next level, using it as a way to learn about the business.

The business initially started as a way to fill the need between buyers and sellers of hay, and over time, the Fords realised the need for more quality assurance, and implemented testing and grading the hay, being able to provide their results to clients – both buyers and sellers, for greater optimisation of feed.

Feed Central quality service operations assistant Sharan Gundry as the Charlton business wins four titles at the Little Pig Consulting Business Excellence Awards including Business of the Year, Tuesday, October 22, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Throughout crises, from droughts to farm accidents, they work tirelessly with their clients to provide them with feed at the last minute, best price, and future proofing strategies, Mr Clothier said.

The Little Pig Consulting Business Excellence Awards was held on Saturday, October 19, and showcased Toowoomba’s diverse and dedicated business community with awards across 14 categories.

See all the winners here.