MLA announces ABRI as new national coordinator for BredWell FedWell program: Bookings now open for 2026 workshops

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) has appointed the Agricultural Business Research Institute (ABRI) as the new national coordinator for the BredWell FedWell (BWFW) program. 
 
The appointment marks a significant milestone in the program, following successful redevelopment and delivery of workshop content from 2023, overseen by Schuster Consulting Group.  
 
MLA thanks Schuster Consulting Group for their dedication and high-quality work to date, and welcome ABRI to the role of National Coordinator to steward the program into the future. 
 
MLA’s Project Manager for Producer Adoption, Mitch Plumbe, said the partnership positions the program for strong growth.
 
BredWell FedWell has become one of MLA’s most valued producer education programs, supporting livestock enterprises to make improved breeding and feeding decisions that enhance productivity and profitability.
 
Mr Plumbe said MLA is pleased to welcome ABRI into the coordination role at a time when demand from producers continues to build. 
 
Mr Plumbe also said that the depth of expertise ABRI brings in genetics, data and herd improvement will help ensure high quality workshop delivery right across Australia, for both beef and sheep producers.
 
MLA encourages producers, groups and advisors to start planning their involvement for the year ahead now.
 
“Planning for 2026 is well underway and we are encouraging producers, hosts and deliverers to get in early and book workshops,” Mr Plumbe said.
 
“There is strong interest in BredWell FedWell each year, so we urge anyone who wants to attend or bring a workshop to their region to connect with us through the BWFW Hub.”
 
ABRI’s Managing Director, Dr Dave Christie, said ABRI is pleased to take on the national coordination role. 
 
“There is strong alignment between the BredWell FedWell program and ABRI’s long standing work in livestock genetics and herd improvement,” Dr Christie said. 
 
“ABRI looks forward to working closely with MLA and delivery partners to ensure the future workshops provide producers with practical, actionable tools they can put into practice immediately.”
 
Jake Phillips of Phillips Livestock Solutions will work alongside the ABRI team to support delivery of the BWFW program across Australia.
 
With one workshop already delivered in Lang Lang, Victoria, and one scheduled for 18 March in Sandigo, NSW, BWFW workshops are well underway for 2026. 
 
These workshops focus on practical breeding objective development for livestock producers, strengthening the link between genetic selection and nutritional management. Workshops are available for both beef and sheep producers. 
 
Workshops include hands on activities, real herd and flock data examples and guidance from accredited BWFW deliverers.
 
MLA is calling for producers, producer groups, agricultural advisors and organisations to register their interest in hosting, delivering or attending a BWFW workshop in 2026.
 
Information, contacts and booking details are available through the MLA BredWell FedWell Hub. To discuss opportunities ahead of registering, please contact Jake Phillips on 0401 261 217.