New 'one stop shop' for MLA products and services

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) has today launched a new online catalogue of its products and services that red meat producers and stakeholders can access from one easy location within the myMLA online platform.

The launch of the catalogue coincides with the conclusion of MLA’s Accelerated Adoption Initiative (AAI) and groups MLA’s products and services in user friendly bundles to enable stakeholders to have quick and easy access to what is relevant to them.

It also showcases promotions that MLA is offering, including discounts on several regionally relevant events for MLA members.

MLA Managing Director, Jason Strong, said the new catalogue provides important access for the red meat industry to crucial products and services that enhance producer adoption and build industry prosperity.

“The red meat industry is in fantastic shape, and we are seeing a renewed commitment to delivering transformational change, which comes off the back of unprecedented natural disasters and global challenges,” Mr Strong said.

“If we are to remain world leaders and set ourselves up for the future, we must continue to focus on our adoption efforts, including through the use of available services and tools. With MLA’s AAI now concluded, we have been looking at how we can further bolster our efforts in supporting producers.

“The new online catalogue is free to access through the existing myMLA platform. It is practical, easy to use and will help producers to get on with what they do best – producing some of the finest red meat in the world.”

Costs for several MLA products and services will be re-introduced from 1 July, following the conclusion of AAI, which was launched in November 2019 with the aim of providing a temporary relief for costs incurred for the delivery of key MLA and Integrity Systems Company (ISC) products and services.

“AAI has been an important program helping facilitate adoption of MLA products and services, but also aiding producers to get back on their feet following the worst conditions ever experienced by Australian agriculture,” Mr Strong said.

“The launch of AAI came at a time where red meat producers were facing severe hardship from drought and other natural disasters. We took the important decision to provide relief to producers through a program where key MLA products and services developed for levy payers would be free of charge until 30 June 2021.

“We are now taking the opportunity to review and refresh how MLA charges for key products and services moving forward and if they can be effectively packaged together to offer cost savings for producers while at the same time building adoption to facilitate practice change and build on-farm productivity.”

From today (1 July 2021), MLA and ISC will be reinstating fees for core integrity services.  Pricing will be:

• Three-year LPA accreditation/reaccreditation fee ($90 + GST)
• LPA NVD hard copy books ($55 + GST for 10 forms, $65 + GST for 20 forms)
• A new combined LPA/MSA Vendor Declaration Book option will be available for MSA registered producers ($55 + GST for 10 LPA NVDs and 10 MSA declarations, $65 + GST for 20 LPA NVDs and 20 MSA declarations).
• MLA members will receive a 50% discount for BeefUp forums, MeatUp forums and Livestock Advisor Updates.

As part of the enhanced MLA/ISC service offering, LPA accredited producers who choose to 'Go digital with eNVDs' will receive:

• Unlimited access to free eNVDs (LPA NVDs, MSA vendor declarations and Animal Health Declarations)
• $30 off their three-year LPA accreditation/reaccreditation fee
• Customer support to get going with eNVDs.

ISC will continue to make available an LPA offline reaccreditation pack ($20 + GST) for those producers who are unable to complete their accreditation online.

As Mr Strong explains, the ‘Go digital with eNVDs’ promotion supports industry’s desire to drive greater digital adoption of NVDs and will encourage LPA participants to get on board with the digital option when they join the program or when completing their reaccreditation. 

“Driving greater digital adoption of the eNVD is incredibly important,” Mr Strong said.

“eNVDs are free of charge, offer a faster and easier way to complete livestock consignments, is always on the latest version and gives producers the option to complete multiple forms entering the information once.

“There is a price increase for hard copy NVD books - the first in seven years. This incorporates increased expenses associated with hard copy books but also highlights why producers should make the switch to eNVDs.

“ISC is constantly reviewing and upgrading features of the eNVD to make it more user friendly with some exciting developments in the pipeline including complete offline capability and an improved PIC search functionality. In recent months we have seen a significant increase in the rate of eNVD adoption and it’s important we continue that trend.”

myMLA provides a single sign-on to NLIS, LPA, LDL, NVDs and MSA accounts, as well as a localised seven-day weather forecast, customised market information based on livestock species and location, and industry news and local events.

Red meat levy payers can sign up for free to become an MLA member.