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MLA's $69 million R&D investment aligned to the Australian government national research priorities for 2007–08
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WHAT WE DO
Every aspect of our work is geared to delivering world-class services and solutions for a profitable and sustainable red meat and livestock industry. We carry out these services to support the following strategic imperatives:
- Increasing market access
- Growing demand
- Enhancing competitiveness and sustainability
- Increasing industry capability
Our 2007–08 annual operating plan, drawn out of the MLA strategic plan 2007–2011, is assessed in the Review of Operations. The Review of Operations provides a detailed look at the economic and social environment in which we worked during the year, the outcomes against targeted measures and commentary on our key initiatives. As the Review of Operations is mapped against our new strategic plan, the table on this page aligns our current objectives to the activities previously reported under the Meat Industry Strategic Plan 2004–09 structure.
PARTNERING WITH INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENT
In our current economic climate of increasing costs, a crucial element of our business is to leverage our investments in partnership with industry and government.
MLA’s R&D investments, matched dollar-for-dollar by the Australian Government, work harder through successful leveraging in state agencies, other research and development corporations, co-operative research centres, the CSIRO and international research agencies.
Some of our successful collaborations last year included:
- completing Grain & Graze, a five-year research program that delivered new tools and information to boost farm profitability and environmental sustainability across the mixed farming zone of southern Australia
- launching Making More From Sheep – a program of best practice information to improve sheep production practices for both meat and wool producers
- completing the ten-year Wambiana grazing trial that highlighted profitable and environmentally sustainable grazing practices for northern Australia. For more information click here
| R&D INVESTMENTS (NO. OF PROJECTS) | 2006–07 | 2007–08 | ↑↓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| New contracts | $44,528,949 (444) | $33,459,170 (412) | ↓24.9% |
| Completed and terminated contracts | $38,288,292 (480) | $31,112,334 (436) | ↓18.7% |
| Live contracts @ 30/06 | $96,972,455 (496) | $99,123,611 (472) | ↑2.2% |
Collaboration is important to:
- maximise the return on MLA investments
- avoid duplication with other research investors
- generate synergies
- present a single, united face to our stakeholders
- influence the thinking and research direction of other organisations
- maximise delivery to producers through collaborative efforts
