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Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA)

MLA’s purpose is to foster the long-term prosperity of the Australian red meat and livestock industry.

We do this by:

  • Delivering research and development that contributes to producer profitability, sustainability and global competitiveness
  • Growing demand for red meat in Australia and overseas

MLA is a public company limited by guarantee.

MLA is the declared industry marketing body and the industry research body under sections 60(1) and 60(2) of the Australian Meat and Live-stock Industry Act 1997. Funding comes from transaction levies paid on livestock sales, the Australian government and voluntary contributions from industry partners.

MLA is a service provider to the red meat industry, not an industry representative body or lobby group.

Related Stories

Explore all stories
Cattle in a paddock
Opportunity

MLA seeks global solution providers to enhance Australia’s red meat supply chain

Meat & Livestock Australia is seeking expressions of interest from global collaborators with solutions to objectively measure value characteristics – from productivity, welfare and eating quality to marbling potential – in live animals. With the potential to transform decision-making for producers, feedlotters, and processors, it’s a research priority that’s turning a lot of heads.       

Close up of a head of cattle in a paddock with sunlight
Featured organisation

Investing for impact for Australia’s red meat sector

Sophisticated supply chains and increased collaboration, bolstered by the launch of growAG., is helping drive ag innovation and investments for Meat & Livestock Australia. MLA Managing Director, Jason Strong shares his goals to beef up the livestock industry and why blue sky technologies and value-adding are key.

Matthew Edwards standing in a paddock at sunset leaning on machinery.
Opportunity

Intuitive farm safety device, SoleMate steps up for Aussie farmers

Nakatomi and Meat & Livestock Australia have developed a shoe insole medical IoT device with automated remote emergency alerts. Now they’re seeking commercial investors and manufacturers for development and distribution, with high value for healthcare and various WH&S applications. 

  • Led by
    Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA)
  • In collaboration with
    Nakatomi
Close up image of gloved had touching a blade
Safety

MLA funded BladeStop: a safety success story

MLA funded BladeStop technology is now bringing huge safety benefits for workers in processing plants across 25 countries. 

  • BladeStop band saw safety system has reached a milestone of 1,000 units installed in processor plants across the world.
  • Developed by Machinery Automation and Robotics (now a part of Scott Technology) with funding from the MLA Donor Company, the technology reduces the risk of serious injury for workers by mechanically stopping the blade when the unit senses that the operator has come into contact.
  • Led by
    Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA)
Hands holding Numnuts tool in sheep yards whilst administering a dose to a sheep
Sheep

Numnuts gears up for investors to accelerate commercialisation

A Scottish agritech startup is set to transform one of the world’s most common sheep husbandry practices. To potential investors, it’s an opportunity that doesn’t come around very often.

 

The challenge was how to create a tool that farmers themselves could safely use to deliver the dose to where it was needed, at the same time the ring was applied, and in a single procedure. Solving that would help solve one of the greatest challenges in modern sheep husbandry.

Sheep leaving trucks and entering ships gangplank
Livestock

Livestock counting solution ready for next phase of development

MLA, LiveCorp and University of Technology Sydney researchers are seeking interested partners to further develop and commercialise automated livestock counting video technology for live export yards and vessels, saleyards and farms.

  • Led by
    Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA)
  • In collaboration with
    LiveCorp and University of Technology Sydney

Related Opportunities

Browse all opportunities
Logo for MLA: NuBull – ambient temperature sperm storage – licensing opportunity
Beef cattle

MLA: NuBull – ambient temperature sperm storage – licensing opportunity

Opportunity for

  • Semen straw manufacturer/commercialiser
  • Investor to extend this technology to other species or into sexed sorting
  • Investors interested in developing a business developing, manufacturing and commercialising Nubull.
  • Led by

    Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA)

  • Opportunity type

    Licensing

  • Express interest by

    Monday, 30 October 2023 11:00 AEST

  • Readiness
    Mid (TRL 5-7)
    Proof of concept in the laboratory then in the field resulting in the development of a minimum viable product (MVP).
Logo for MLA: Novel pain relief pour-on treatment for cattle – research/licensing opportunity
Multiple industries

MLA: Novel pain relief pour-on treatment for cattle – research/licensing opportunity

Opportunity for

  • Animal health companies interested in further developing and commercialising novel pain relief pour-on treatment for cattle.

  • Led by

    Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA)

  • Opportunity type

    Licensing, Research partner

  • Express interest by

    Wednesday, 20 September 2023 17:00 AEST

  • Readiness
    Mid (TRL 5-7)
    Proof of concept in the laboratory then in the field resulting in the development of a minimum viable product (MVP).
Logo for MLA: 3D imaging of live cattle to increase profitability - Licensing opportunity
Beef cattle

MLA: 3D imaging of live cattle to increase profitability - Licensing opportunity

Opportunity for 

  • Commercial partners to manufacture a new 3D cattle imaging technology under license.
  • Led by

    Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA)

  • Opportunity type

    Licensing

  • Express interest by

    Sunday, 31 December 2023 11:00 AEST

  • Readiness
    Mid to Late (TRL 5-9)
    For opportunities that are seeking solutions providers who are in the mid to late stages of readiness.
Logo for Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA): Development, evaluation and adoption of objective measurement solutions for live animals - Request for Tender
Multiple industries

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA): Development, evaluation and adoption of objective measurement solutions for live animals - Request for Tender

Opportunity for

  • Businesses and global solution providers to submit proposals to develop, evaluate and/or adopt emerging objective measurement technologies for live animal assessment (beef cattle, sheep/lamb, goats)
  • Led by

    Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA)

  • Opportunity type

    Research partner, Seeking solutions

  • Readiness
    Any (TRL 1-9)
    For opportunities that are seeking solutions providers who are at any stage of readiness.
Logo for Novel semi-permeable gas membrane
Multiple industries

Novel semi-permeable gas membrane

Opportunity for

  • Organisations, partners or investors, interested in developing or improving current solutions for air, water, fluid and gas monitoring or diagnostic solutions. Applications could include animal, environmental, food or mining uses.

^This opportunity is only for professional and sophisticated investors.

  • Led by

    Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA)

  • Opportunity type

    Seeking interest, Seeking investment, Licensing, Research partner, Seeking partners

  • Readiness
    Early (TRL 1-4)
    Describes the challenge or opportunity being pursued and undertakes preliminary R&D to determine if the concept is feasible.
Logo for SoleMate: A shoe insole medical IoT device with automated remote emergency alerts
Multiple industries

SoleMate: A shoe insole medical IoT device with automated remote emergency alerts

Opportunity for

  • Investors interested in further development and commercialisation of this device
  • Investors interested in commercial partnerships surrounding exclusive use of the device
  • Medical device manufacturers interested in partnering for mass production of the device
  • Researchers interested in capturing health and activity data through the device

^This opportunity is only for professional and sophisticated investors.

  • Led by

    Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA)

  • Opportunity type

    Seeking interest, Seeking investment, Joint venture, Seeking partners

  • Readiness
    Mid (TRL 5-7)
    Proof of concept in the laboratory then in the field resulting in the development of a minimum viable product (MVP).

Research projects

Other research projects
Logo for Summary and Quadrant Analysis: Data stocktake, analysis and implementation roadmap
Multiple industries

Summary and Quadrant Analysis: Data stocktake, analysis and implementation roadmap

Following the completion of the Data Stocktake, Analysis and Implementation Roadmap LC.RDC.0002 on 16 June 2022, this project provides further analysis and investigation in order to build capability around data collection, aggregation, analysis, sharing and use of data.
  • Funded by

    Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA)

  • Project date

    1 Oct 2022 - 30 Jun 2023

  • Research organisation

    Australian Livestock Exporters' Council (ALEC)

Logo for Development & implementation of NB2 feedbase data templates, skills training, analysis and reporting.
Multiple industries

Development & implementation of NB2 feedbase data templates, skills training, analysis and reporting.

The feedbase sub-project of Northern Beef 2 (NB2) is designed to develop skills in assessing long-term carrying capacities and pasture based management decisions that complement the stock flow and financial data sets collected by participating producers.
  • Funded by

    Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA)

  • Project date

    10 May 2022 - 16 Sep 2025

  • Research organisation

    Range IQ Pty Ltd

Logo for Implantable RFID for cattle - Commercial Supply Chain trials
Beef cattle

Implantable RFID for cattle - Commercial Supply Chain trials

Based on the positive results that come out of the limited field trials completed on implantable RFID devices, it was recommended that further supply chain trials were undertaken to expand on this work to address the remaining adoption barriers for an implantable RFID device.
  • Funded by

    Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA)

  • Project date

    1 Nov 2022 - 21 Jan 2025

  • Research organisation

    The Growth Drivers Pty Ltd

Logo for A soil investment strategy for livestock grazing systems.
Multiple industries

A soil investment strategy for livestock grazing systems.

MLA is seeking to develop an Investment strategy for soil-related research, development, extension, and adoption (RDE&A) to guide future investment priorities and provide sustainability and productivity benefits for red meat producers.
  • Funded by

    Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA)

  • Project date

    15 May 2022 - 1 Sep 2023

  • Research organisation

    Soil CRC

Logo for Transformational and integrated feedbase for mixed farming zones of southern Australia
Multiple industries

Transformational and integrated feedbase for mixed farming zones of southern Australia

The project will increase sustainability and productivity in the mixed farming zone of WA and NSW using advanced forage systems to support livestock enterprises.
  • Funded by

    Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA)

  • Project date

    30 May 2022 - 28 Aug 2027

  • Research organisation

    Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)

Logo for Carbon EDGE package development
Multiple industries

Carbon EDGE package development

A Carbon EDGE training program will equip producers with the knowledge and skills to create a carbon account and formulate a customised plan to address emissions and production benefits at an enterprise level.
  • Funded by

    Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA)

  • Project date

    1 Aug 2022 - 10 Dec 2024

  • Research organisation

    Pinion Advisory Trust

Logo for Goal Setting - Australian Beef Industry FY23
Beef cattle

Goal Setting - Australian Beef Industry FY23

Working with Peak Industry Councils to develop goals and targets across the 24 sustainability priority areas for the Australian beef industry, as approved by Red Meat Advisory Council (RMAC).
  • Funded by

    Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA)

  • Project date

    20 Sep 2022 - 28 Oct 2023

  • Research organisation

    ACIL Allen

Logo for LCA Analysis of the Australian Beef Industry
Beef cattle

LCA Analysis of the Australian Beef Industry

The project will update the environmental impacts, including GHG emissions, water, energy and land use across the beef/cattle industry for the five years from 2016 to 2020 to update the ongoing trends analysis.
  • Funded by

    Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA)

  • Project date

    20 Nov 2022 - 15 Nov 2023

  • Research organisation

    Integrity Ag and Environment Pty Ltd

Logo for Antimicrobial usage - development of data collection and metrics for beef
Beef cattle

Antimicrobial usage - development of data collection and metrics for beef

Antimicrobial usage (AMU) is an important aspect of the international campaign to minimise and control antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in human and domestic animal pathogens.
  • Funded by

    Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA)

  • Project date

    1 May 2022 - 30 Jun 2024

  • Research organisation

    AgVet Projects Pty Ltd

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