Running over six years with a minimum two-year commitment, BulkUp brings together MLA’s proven adoption packages into a single, structured pathway – supporting producers to lift performance through targeted technical learning, informed decision-making and benchmarking.
Within the Australian livestock industry, the top 20% most profitable businesses generate 80% more profit than the average1. The primary factor contributing to this is differences in production efficiency (i.e. the kilograms of red meat produced per hectare, per 100mm of rainfall).
BulkUp has been designed to help producers implement practices that drive whole-farm profitability.
What will producers get out of BulkUp?
If you're looking for practical support, expert guidance and a network of peers to help drive real change onfarm, BulkUp is designed for you.
Participants will receive:
A guided whole-farm systems approach
Experts will coach producers on every aspect of production – from business management, to feedbase, to livestock.
Peer-to-peer support
Learn alongside like-minded producers in your region.
Business benchmarking
From year 2, economic and production benchmarking will be completed by agribusiness analysts to identify opportunities to increase profitability.
Access to in-depth extension/adoption programs
Existing MLA programs such as Profitable Grazing Systems, BredWell FedWell and EDGEnetwork courses will be available in one coordinated experience.
The BulkUp program is open to all red meat producers but is particularly suited to those looking to improve profitability through the support of a guided upskilling program and peer-learning network.
By program completion, participants can expect to see real improvements in their operation. MLA adoption products included in BulkUp have demonstrated strong returns, including:
- Increased profitability per hectare and per animal unit
- Improved livestock performance
- Better alignment between livestock production and market specifications
- Stronger business decisionmaking supported by sound management accounting.
What’s involved?
Each BulkUp group will meet regularly and progress through the program together, guided by a local coach.
Annual activities include:
- Monthly facilitated meetings
- Quarterly technical workshops
- Annual economic and production benchmarking (from year 2)
- Ongoing coaching and support to implement learnings.
Modules
Align your enterprise to its environment:
- Match livestock demand to regional feed curves
- Identify opportunities through benchmarking.
Lift pasture performance and feed utilisation:
- Grazing management and best-practice pasture use
- Increasing carrying capacity
- Stocking rate optimisation.
Improve productivity and market readiness:
- Efficient breeding and feeding
- Reproduction performance
- Understanding and using carcase feedback.
Your investment
Although it’s a six-year program, BulkUp participants will have the opportunity to exit the program following completion of year 2 if they don’t see benefit in continuing.
The total time commitment expected from participants is as follows:
- monthly online group calls to discuss progress and troubleshoot challenges
- 4–6 days/year of technical training
- provision of economic and production data to complete benchmarking
- commitment to enact learnings and implement practice change.
The program is valued at up to $8,000 per business per year, with producers paying:
- $500/year in years 1–2
- $1,500/year in years 3–6.
This equates to around a 15% producer contribution. The remaining percentage will be delivered through a co-funded model, combining MLA Donor Company matched investment and MLA levy funding.
