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Back to Research & Development

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:

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.

Request for Tender

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.

Request for Tender

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.

Request for Tender

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.

Request for Tender

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:

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.

Expression of Interest

Grazing land management EDGEnetwork package review – Lead Author

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) is seeking applications from individuals to take the role of Lead Author of an expert Working Group which will undertake a review and redevelopment of the content of the Grazing land management (GLM) EDGE package. EDGEnetwork packages need to be updated regularly to integrate emerging R&D and extension resources, delivered through an effective structure and engaging extension design.

All applications are to be submitted by 22 November 2024 – please see the attached Terms of Reference (ToR) document for further detail.

ToR – GLM EDGE Package Review – Lead Author

Eating Quality and Carcase Value R&D Project Call

2024/25 Eating Quality and Carcase Value Projects (MDC Funding Call)

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) is seeking preliminary co-investment proposals from research organisations and businesses which address eating quality priorities, as determined by industry, to generate additional value across the Australian red meat supply chains.

The 2024/25 Eating Quality and Carcase Value project Call for Preliminary proposals closes 11:59pm, AEDT, 4th November 2024 - please see attached EOI document 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:

Expression of Interest

Expressions of interest and any enquires should be submitted by email to nb2@mla.com.au by COB 29th of November 2024. Expressions of interest may be considered before 29th November 2024.

2x EOIs for the GIRDAC Representative positions

Meat & Livestock Australia is calling for applications from commercial farmed goat producers and industry technical specialists to fill two (2) available committee positions on the Goat Industry Research, Development and Adoption Committee (GIRDAC).

Interested applicants are encouraged to submit expressions of interest (EOIs) not exceeding two pages to MLA, addressing the following selection criteria:

  • details of experience within the goat industry, specifically commercial farmed goats
  • details of any experience in research, development and adoption
  • an outline of skills and experience the candidate brings to GIRDAC
  • why the candidate would like to be part of GIRDAC.

EOIs for both positions should be submitted via email to tenders@mla.com.au with title “ATTN: Daniel Forwood - GIRDAC Expression of Interest” by COB 30 September 2024 – please see attached EOI documents for further details.

Seeking innovators and commercialisers to accelerate and launch MLAs initiative to drive early adoption of Objective Measurement lean meat yield technologies for Australian red meat producers and processors

Value of carcases is related to the amount and quality of the final product. Lean meat yield (LMY) is a key efficiency and profit driver throughout the supply chain. With the newly approved LMY% trait for lamb, there is increased adoption of devices of accredited devices to measure that trait. There is an ambition to have a similar LMY% trait for beef, with independent work underway to bring this forward. MLA is seeking co-investment proposals from businesses seeking to trial and adopt emerging objective LMY measurement technologies and solutions of LMY carcases and/or live animals.

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 lodged by 5pm AEDT on Thursday 31 October 2024.

For more information, please contact:

Jack Cook
Project Manager – Supply Chain Technology
Phone: 0409 312 515
Email: jcook@mla.com.au

Expressions of interest for the National Livestock Genetics Consortium

The National Livestock Genetics Consortium (NLGC) was established in October 2016 and is governed by a skills-based Taskforce. The consortium was developed after considerable industry consultation to provide increased collaboration, communication and investment in the livestock genetics sector. The primary aim of this initiative is to increase the rate of genetic progress achieved in the sheep and beef industries.

Meat & Livestock Australia and the National Livestock Genetics consortium and seeking expressions of interest from individuals for 2 positions. These two positions are to be filled by individuals with either extensive experience in Southern Beef breeding or Livestock Genetics research.

This EOI for both positions closes on the 6th of September 2024 – please see attached EOI documents for further detail.