Lamb Production

On-farm sheep meat and grass-fed beef project proposals sought

Sheep Central, October 5, 2017

PRELIMINARY funding proposals for on-farm research, development and adoption projects in 2018/19 that benefit sheep meat and grass-fed beef producers are being sought by Meat & Livestock Australia.

Project applications from individuals, organisations and project teams opened today.

MLA’s annual call is aimed at attracting one to five-year projects that address the three RD&A priorities identified for the sheep meat and grass-fed beef industries for 2018/19.

The 2018/19 priorities are:

  • Breeder productivity for sheep and cattle: RD&A activities that lead to a better understanding of, and develop tools or practices to improve the productivity of sheep and grass-fed beef cattle
  • Nutrition: RD&A activities that result in increased levels of animal productivity and enterprise profitability from improved rumen function and targeted and strategic supplementation practices for both the sheep meat and grass-fed beef sectors
  • Animal health and welfare: RD&A activities that focus on improving the wellbeing of stock and secure community support for the red meat industry.

The MLA Donor Company is also seeking expressions of interest from individuals, organisations or project teams to co-invest in their Future Feedbase Partnership Program. More information about the MDC Future Feedbase Partnership Program is available here.

MLA General Manager – Producer Consultation and Adoption, Michael Crowley, said the priorities were determined following extensive consultation with red meat livestock producers through MLA’s regional consultation process.

“The regional consultation process enables sheep meat and grass-fed beef producers throughout Australia to contribute to the development of the RD&A priorities that will deliver the greatest benefit to the red meat industry.

“This ensures national and regionally-relevant RD&A priorities are identified. Those priorities are consolidated by the North Australia Beef Research Council, Southern Australia Meat Research Council and Western Australia Livestock Research Council,” Mr Crowley said.

“They are then taken to the Red Meat Panel – consisting of representatives of Cattle Council of Australia, Sheepmeat Council of Australia, NABRC, SAMRC, WALRC and MLA – for review and endorsement, and the panel provides advice to the MLA board on the priorities.”

Mr Crowley said once preliminary proposals for the 2018/19 annual call have been submitted, they will be assessed by panels of northern, southern and western sheep meat and grass-fed beef producers along with MLA staff.

“Applicants meeting the selection criteria in stage one of the process are then invited to submit a full proposal,” Mr Crowley said.

“Stage two of the process will see full proposals assessed for their technical merit by an independent expert panel prior to consideration by the Red Meat Panel.”

The 2018/19 sheep meat and grass-fed beef RD&A priorities can be downloaded here.

Application forms for preliminary proposals are available on the MLA website and should be submitted electronically before 6pm AEDT, Monday, October 30, 2017.

Source: MLA

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