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:

• Microbiological food safety of effluent from animal industries
• Feedlot Shade or Shelter Evaluation
• Expressions of Interest (EOI) - Driverless Feed Truck

Microbiological food safety of effluent from animal industries

Livestocks are a known source of pathogens that could unintentionally be directly (waste, manures) or indirectly (air, dust, water runoff, water source, pests and wildlife) transferred to products within the supply chain and present a food safety risk. MLA is looking to do a small survey of microbiological quality on processed waste and effluent, ranging from farm to processing establishments, which will provide clarity and identify potential risks that may not have been previously considered.

Terms of Reference

Application form

Applications must be received by 5pm (AEDT) Friday, 21 February 2020.

For further information, please contact:

Long Huynh
Meat & Livestock Australia
Email: lhuynh@mla.com.au

Feedlot Shade or Shelter Evaluation

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) in consultation with the Australian Lot Feeders’ Association (ALFA) seeks MLA Full Applications for research organisations with the capability to evaluate shade or shelter solutions for the feedlot industry.

Currently there are limited examples of animal health and performance responses to shade in Australia especially under large pen commercial conditions. MLA has previously funded two (2) projects to demonstrate shade effects on feedlot cattle performance. Both these trials were conducted in hot regions of Queensland under small pen conditions (8-10 head pens). Gaughan et al. (2010) fed unimplanted Angus steers for a 120 day feeding period at Brigalow Research Station in Central Queensland. Cattle were fed a dry-rolled wheat based finisher diet. Shade (3.3 m2/steer) was provided by 80% solar block shade cloth aligned in a north-south orientation at 4 m height. Cattle with access to shade had 3% greater dry matter intake and a 1.9% increase in hot carcase weight. How the results apply to other climates within Australia is still to be determined. In addition to conventional feedlot shade, there is increasing interest by lot feeders around feedlot shelter solutions to provide protection against heat wave and wet weather conditions. There is currently no scientific data available to industry on the value proposition of feedlot shelter solutions under Australian feedlot conditions.

Terms of Reference

MLA applications must be lodged electronically as Word document to jmcmeniman@mla.com.au along with other requirements of this tender document outlined in Section 1.11.

MLA Full Applications must be received by 5pm (Queensland time) on Friday 28 February, 2020.

Further Information:

Dr. Joseph McMeniman
Feedlot Project Manager
Phone: 0447 264 341
Email: jmcmeniman@mla.com.au

Expressions of Interest (EOI) - Driverless Feed Truck

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) in consultation with the Australian Lot Feeders’ Association (ALFA) is seeking Expressions of Interest from organisations with the capability to develop and commission a driverless truck for cattle feeding.

The Australian feedlot industry has a history of adopting leading-edge technologies that will improve operating efficiency, cattle performance and feedlot profitability. Interest in automation within the feedlot industry is increasing. MLA has recently commercialised the ‘DeliverEase’ system through Brisbane based robotics and engineering company Manabotix. The DeliverEase system enables accurate and even discharge of feed into cattle feed bunks. A feed truck driver is however required to steer and negotiate hazards during the delivery route. The next step to fully automate the cattle feeding process is to implement driverless trucks. Aligned with the Red Meat (2030) strategic initiative of embracing automation and Ag Tech the feedlot industry wishes to continue to explore potential opportunities in this field.

Access the MLA Preliminary application templates (Grain-Fed, Live Export & Goats).
MLA applications must be lodged electronically as Word document to: applications@mla.com.au

Terms of reference

Stage 1 MLA Preliminary Applications must be received by 5pm Queensland time, Friday 28 February, 2020.

Strict adherence to the time deadline for applications will occur. Applications received past the deadline will not be assessed. Applications not received in the standard MLA application template will not be assessed.

Further Information:

Dr. Joseph McMeniman
Feedlot Project Manager
Research, Development and Adoption
Meat & Livestock Australia
Phone: 0447 264 341