MLA’s grainfed investment tops $12.7 million
06 September 2016
Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) will invest $12.71 million on behalf of grainfed cattle producers in 2016-17, following the release of its Annual Investment Plan for the new financial year.
The total comprises $6.94m for research and development (R&D), with $3.47m in levies matched by an equivalent amount of Federal Government funds.
The remaining $5.77m will be directed to marketing, with a proportion allocated to specific grainfed marketing and the remainder contributing to beef marketing in partnership with the grassfed cattle sector.
The total investment is slightly up from the $12.6m MLA invested in 2015-16 on behalf of the grainfed cattle sector.
MLA’s Annual Investment Plan for 2016-17 centres on six strategic pillars that the Australian red meat and livestock industry has set itself to achieve by the year 2020 through its Meat Industry Strategic Plan 2020.
The six pillars include consumer and community support; market growth and diversification; supply chain efficiency and integrity; productivity and profitability; leadership and collaborative culture; and stakeholder engagement.
MLA’s Grainfed, Live Export and Goat Program Manager, Des Rinehart, said investing in R&D was vital, particularly to improving productivity and profitability.
“For feedlot operators to remain competitive and sustainable in the long-term, MLA’s research, development and adoption programs need to deliver outcomes that improve their bottom line,” Mr Rinehart said.
“The ‘productivity and profitability’ priority is focused on providing lot feeders and producers with options to improve the efficiency of their operations through programs including genetics and genomics, animal nutrition, compliance to market specifications and feed efficiency.
“The ‘consumer and community’ support pillar invests in R&D to enhance the industry’s animal welfare, disease control and environmental practices, ensuring the community continues to support and trust the industry.”
