Natural resource management

Overview

MLA invests in research and development (R&D) for the management and use of natural resources, to reduce the environmental impact of red meat production and safeguard environmental sustainability.

Water, sustainable soil health and environmental biodiversity underpin forage production, productivity and the long-term prosperity of the Australian red meat industry.

The red meat industry has an opportunity to maintain a high level of community support for the industry’s environmental performance, while implementing production systems that are both profitable and sustainable. This includes a focus on:

• soils, water and nutrients in grazing systems
• biodiversity in grazing systems
• environmental stewardship.

Core activities

R&D projects that work toward effective management of natural resources focus on:

• providing information and training on better soil management and soil water storage
• maintaining soil health (especially with respect to erosion and soil salinity) to protect surface water quality
• improving carbon sequestration and reducing emissions
• maintaining healthy water courses
• investigating resource use and environmental impacts from grain and grass finished beef and lamb production based on energy, water and land use
• utilising dung beetles to improve soil health and biodiversity of grazing land.

Benefits to industry

• Reducing environmental damage by creating businesses that can adapt to changes in their natural resources and appropriately manage this risk ensures the long term sustainability and prosperity of the Australian red meat industry.
• Improved environmental sustainability that maintains or improves long-term productivity contributes to the industries social licence to operate.
• Protecting natural resources ensures the industry safeguards the environment and its biodiversity for future generations.