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Current tenders
MLA is seeking applications from individuals, organisations or project teams with the expertise required to undertake one or more of the following projects:
- Australian Feedlot Cattle Water usage and requirements
- Evaluating advancements in hook tracking solutions in red meat processing plants for improved end-to-end traceability
- Benchmarking Cost Competitiveness of Australia's Live Export Cattle Supply Chain
- Optimising Australia's Live Cattle Supply Chain for Global Competitiveness
- Digital Agriculture Program RFP
- Enhancing Cattle Welfare: Bedding, Lameness and Thermal Comfort in Live Export
- Delivery technology for direct greenhouse gas suppressants in grazing systems
- Effect of Legumes on Net Emissions of Grazing Lands
- Livestock Efficiency Partnership - Emissions Intensity Program
- Profitable silvopastoral systems for reduction of net greenhouse gas emissions – Research & Adoption Program
- Carbon EDGE package review and inclusion of Biodiversity module
- Seeking Commercialisation Partner for new Stylo Varieties
- National Livestock Genetics Consortium – Independent Chair EOI
- Expressions of interest for new NB2 group facilitators
Australian Feedlot Cattle Water usage and requirements
Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) is seeking expressions of interest from organizations with the capability to deliver comprehensive R&D on water use requirements of Australian Feedlot cattle, including a comprehensive literature review and survey of actual water usage measured at 6 feedlot sites around Australia.
Request for tender applications must be lodged electronically by 5 PM (AEST), 31 January 2025 to tenders@mla.com.au
Strict adherence to the time deadline for applications will occur. Incomplete request for tender applications without the required documentation will not be assessed.
Further information:
Evaluating advancements in hook tracking solutions in red meat processing plants for improved end-to-end traceability
With the introduction of mandatory sheep eID requirements which will bring sheep and goats in line with cattle in the requirement to be tagged and recorded in the NLIS database, there is an opportunity to extract further value for the supply chain by providing better quality data up and down the chain leading to continuous improvement and better-informed decisions if successful hook tracking systems can be integrated. MLA is seeking proposals from supply chains looking to trial and integrate hook tracking solutions into their business. The opportunity is also open to technology companies and hook tracking providers to develop and trial novel hook tracking solutions.
Applications must be lodged electronically as a Word document to Jack Cook jcook@mla.com.au along with other requirements of this terms of reference.
Applications must be received by 5pm AEDT on Friday 24th January 2025.
For more information, please contact:
Jack Cook
Project Manager – Supply Chain Technology
Phone: 0409 312 515
Email: jcook@mla.com.au
Benchmarking Cost Competitiveness of Australia's Live Export Cattle Supply Chain
Australia is a major player in the global live cattle export market; however, increasing global competition highlights the need to continuously evaluate and enhance the profitability and cost competitiveness of the supply chain. The project aims to benchmark the live export supply chain by comparing the Australian industry’s business cost structures, logistics efficiency, and regulatory compliance costs with those of key international competitors and domestic red meat supply chains.
The consultant will apply established socio-economic analysis methodologies and leverage existing knowledge to quantify the economic contribution of Australia’s live cattle exports, benchmarking them against competitors. The analysis will focus on critical factors such as logistics costs, regulatory requirements, and market access challenges, providing a comprehensive comparison with other leading cattle-exporting nations.
Please note that the consultant engaged in this project may need to collaborate closely with the consultant appointed for the “Optimising Australia's Live Cattle Supply Chain for Global Competitiveness” project. Applicants are encouraged to consider this potential interaction when preparing their proposals.
Click here to download the Terms of Reference. Applications must be received by 5pm (AEDT) on Tuesday 17 December 2024 and should be submitted to Nick Baker via email at nbaker@livecorp.com.au
Optimising Australia's Live Cattle Supply Chain for Global Competitiveness
Australia is a key player in the global live cattle export market, but it faces increasing competition from countries like Brazil, India, and the United States. To remain competitive, it is essential to optimise the efficiency of Australia’s live export supply chain while identifying opportunities to enhance commercial profitability. An opportunity exists to improve the productivity and performance of live cattle supply chains in South East Asia, particularly in Indonesia and Vietnam. To address this, the consultant will conduct a detailed analysis of in-market operations, aiming to identify areas for boosting productivity, efficiency, and profitability. The analysis will also explore the specifications and value attributes most sought after by in-market stakeholders, providing valuable insights to inform cattle supply decisions. To ensure the project’s success, an industry-based working group will be established to guide and support its progress.
Please note that the consultant engaged in this project may need to collaborate closely with the consultant appointed for the “Benchmarking Cost Competitiveness of Australia's Live Export Cattle Supply Chain” project. Applicants are encouraged to consider this potential interaction when preparing their proposals.
Click here to download the Terms of Reference. Applications must be received by 5pm (AEDT) on Tuesday 17 December 2024 and should be submitted to Nick Baker via email at nbaker@livecorp.com.au
Digital Agriculture Program RFP
Meat & Livestock Australia’s Digital Agriculture sub-program involves a combination of initiatives and activities that, together, address the barriers to adoption of on-farm technologies and data analytics, and increase the potential for wide-scale impact beyond the farmgate.
Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) is seeking R&D applications from organizations (or partnerships of organizations) to develop or evaluate technology solutions for:
- Vegetation monitoring and assessment tools
- Virtual Fencing Technology (VFT)
- Leveraging on-farm data and digital tools to support brands and value-based marketing
MLA applications must be lodged electronically as Word document to: jmcguren@mla.com.au
Applications must be received by 17:00 AEST on 10 January 2025.
Enhancing Cattle Welfare: Bedding, Lameness and Thermal Comfort in Live Export
The continuous improvement in the welfare of cattle during live export voyages is a priority for industry and the community. Although mortality and morbidity numbers are exceptionally low, further enhancements in welfare management are being prioritised - particularly in key welfare areas such as bedding management and thermal comfort on board, and lameness prevention and treatment. The opportunity exists to create practical guidelines that minimise welfare risks and enhance overall animal wellbeing, focusing on prevention and proactive management of these key areas.
The consultant will undertake a two-stage approach. In Stage One, a comprehensive literature review and scoping study will consolidate existing research. Building on these findings, Stage Two will focus on developing practical guidelines for on-board management of bedding, lameness, and thermal comfort for cattle.
Click here to download the Terms of Reference. Applications must be received by 5pm (AEDT) on Wednesday 11 December 2024 and should be submitted to Nick Baker via email at nbaker@livecorp.com.au
For more information on specific tenders or research generally, contact Nick Baker, RD&E Manager on +61 2 9394 8613 or nbaker@livecorp.com.au
Delivery technology for direct greenhouse gas suppressants in grazing systems
Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) is seeking preliminary applications from organizations (or partnerships of organizations) to develop or evaluate delivery technology for direct greenhouse gas suppressants in grazing systems via co-investment in the MLA donor company.
MLA applications must be lodged electronically as Word document to: tenders@mla.com.au
Stage 1 MLA Applications must be received by 17:00 AEST on 19 December 2024.
Strict adherence to the time deadline for applications will occur. Incomplete request for tender applications without the required documentation will not be assessed.
Effect of Legumes on Net Emissions of Grazing Lands
Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) is seeking preliminary applications from organizations (or partnerships of organizations) to deliver a comprehensive R&D on net emissions of grazing lands via MLA Donor company co-investment.
MLA applications must be lodged electronically as Word document to: tenders@mla.com.au
Stage 1 MLA Applications must be received by 17:00 AEST on 19 December 2024.
Strict adherence to the time deadline for applications will occur. Incomplete request for tender applications without the required documentation will not be assessed.
Livestock Efficiency Partnership - Emissions Intensity Program
Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) is seeking preliminary applications from organizations (or partnerships of organizations) to deliver Livestock efficiency partnership – Emissions Intensity Program via co-investment in the MLA Donor Company.
MLA applications must be lodged electronically as Word document to: tenders@mla.com.au
Stage 1 MLA Applications must be received by 17:00 AEST on 19 December 2024.
Strict adherence to the time deadline for applications will occur. Incomplete request for tender applications without the required documentation will not be assessed.
Profitable silvopastoral systems for reduction of net greenhouse gas emissions – Research & Adoption Program
Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) is seeking preliminary applications from organizations (or partnerships of organizations) to develop profitable silvopastoral systems for reduction of net greenhouse gas emissions reduction across Australian grazing lands via MLA Donor Company co-investment.
MLA applications must be lodged electronically as Word document to: tenders@mla.com.au
Stage 1 MLA Applications must be received by 17:00 AEST on 19 December 2024.
Strict adherence to the time deadline for applications will occur. Incomplete request for tender applications without the required documentation will not be assessed.
Carbon EDGE package review and inclusion of Biodiversity module
Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) is seeking Expressions of Interest for individuals or organisations to complete a review of the Carbon EDGE package and/or the inclusion of a Biodiversity module to the course syllabus.
Applicants may apply to one or both components of the work.
Details of the work to be completed are included in detail in the Request for Tender attached below.
The closing date for proposals is 5pm AEST on 6 December 2024.
For more information please see the attached Request for Tender:
Carbon EDGE package review and inclusion of Biodiversity module
For more information, please contact:
Hilary Connors
Project Manager – Sustainability Adoption
Phone: 0427 467 608
Email: hconnors@mla.com.au
Seeking Commercialisation Partner for new Stylo Varieties
Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) is seeking Expressions of Interest for seed industry partners to commercialise new stylo varieties that were developed in conjunction with the QLD Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. There are two new shrubby stylo varieties and three new Caatinga stylo varieties.
Initial interest must be registered via email by 5pm AEST on 22 November 2024.
The closing date for full EOI proposals is 5pm AEST on 31st January 2025.
For more information please see the attached information papers for:
National Livestock Genetics Consortium – Independent Chair EOI
Meat & Livestock Australia is seeking expressions of interest from individuals for the role of an Independent Chair of the National Livestock Genetics Consortium.
The National Livestock Genetics Consortium (NLGC) is a skills-based taskforce, established in 2016 by MLA. The NLGC provides direction and support to increase collaboration, transparency, communication and investment in livestock genetics research, development and adoption (RD&A) for the benefit of Australian red meat producers. The primary aim of the NLGC is, through strategic research investments, to increase the rate of genetic progress for traits that drive value chain productivity & sustainability in the sheep and beef industries.
This EOI closes on the 13th of December 2024 – please see attached EOI documents for further detail.
Expressions of interest for new NB2 group facilitators
MLA is seeking expressions of interest for organisations and individuals interested in facilitating groups within the Northern Breeding Business (NB2) program. NB2 aims to bring together groups of up to 8 producers to measure business, herd and feedbase performance, then share perspectives and ideas to improve enterprise productivity and profitability. The role of group facilitator is key in bringing the group together, providing support for data collection, coordinating training activities, and facilitating constructive discussion within the group.
More information about the NB2 program can be found on the NB2 website
Interested applicants can find further detail about the role in the attached EOI document:
Expressions of interest and any enquires should be submitted by email to nb2@mla.com.au by COB 29 November 2024. Expressions of interest may be considered before 29th November 2024.
