MLA Updates: highlights of the annual flagship event

The annual MLA Updates events hit Bendigo this week with over 350 visitors attending from all over Australia for one of the biggest events on the red meat industry calendar.

The Updates included practical demonstrations of drone mustering with the Sky Kelpie, a carcase breakdown with MLA chef, Sam Burke, genetics and livestock, and innovations in value-added products.

It was also a chance to hear from engaging speakers, with highlights including presentations from Holly Kramer, who serves on the boards of Woolworths, Fonterra and ANZ as well as from MLA Managing Director, Jason Strong.

The crowd also had an insight into MLA’s International Marketing with Andrew Cox and Domestic Marketing with Nathan Low.

MLA held its Annual General Meeting as part of the event, and Managing Director, Jason Strong, spoke to highlights from the 2022-23 financial year, including:

• The release of the eNVD livestock consignments app by ISC. The app is overcoming connectivity barriers and improving data quality. It enables the transfer of livestock consignment information to be captured digitally and seamlessly, independent of location and connectivity.
• The launch of the Australian Feedbase Monitor, which has been used by over 1900 producers. This tool uses satellite-based biomass assessments to allow producers to accurately measure their feedbase status weekly and seasonally. They can then adjust their carrying capacity and grazing management practices in response.
• ISC commencing a three-year project to develop a new and improved traceability platform to replace the 23-year-old NLIS database, with the work occurring thanks to an Australian Government $22.5 million grant. 
• The release of a new digital carbon calculator that provides a significant advancement on current static excel spreadsheets, enabling producers to calculate a baseline carbon account for their enterprise and product.
• MLA holding nine BeefUp and five MeatUp forums that engaged 1020 producers around Australia.

The Updates included the launch and display of the new version of myMLA, which is a one-stop online shop for everything related to MLA products and services – including the National Livestock Identification System, National Vendor Declarations (including eNVDS), Livestock Producer Assurance accreditation, and subscriptions to Sheep Genetics. 

The myMLA portal was created as a single login point to make it easier for people to access MLA’s catalogue of products and services. 

“One of the best features of myMLA is that the content is tailored directly for you, based on your own preferences,” Mr Strong said.

“This means that it is providing information relevant to your region and production system, and for your specific business.

“We have undertaken an overhaul of myMLA to make it easier to use and make sure it is providing valuable information for its users,” he said.

“Producers can continue to customise their dashboards and they can also use it to update their preferences for MLA communications such as our email newsletters, and to access online tools like the Carbon Calculator or check out the Aussie Meat Trade Hub.”