MLA Annual General Meeting: New faces and strong balance sheet

Meat and Livestock Australia has elected new directors and unveiled it’s 2023/2024 balance sheet during the annual general meeting. See the new faces on the board.

Farmers are still seeking more feedback and traceability after putting their questions forward during the Meat and Livestock Australia annual general meeting this week.

MLA unveiled a solid balance sheet and outlined an array of marketing and research projects with a cost of $172.2 million during the 2023/2024 financial year.

The red meat industry also achieved an enviable $20 billion in value for the year with exports tipping $17.8 billion.

While the figures show success for levy holders, farmers raised concerns about the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator (EYCI) and asked for indicators that went further than saleyard metrics.

Producers also requested that the National Livestock Identification Scheme (NLIS) be better equipped to provide whole of industry traceability that can come directly back to the farmer.

Beef producers said information such as eye muscle area and marbling scores were crucial in making management decisions.

Alan Beckett from Yea pictured at Culcairn in southern NSW for the Rennylea bull sale. Picture: Fiona Myers

Yea cattleman Alan Beckett, and outgoing chairman of the MLA board, welcomed his successor John Lloyd who was a former chief executive officer of Horticulture Innovation Australia. Mr Lloyd has been a director of MLA since 2019.

“From a board perspective it has been a good year,” Mr Beckett said.

However, he acknowledged the difficult seasonal conditions producers in South Australia and Western Australia continued to face.

He said the overall sentiment in these areas had dropped due to the difficult year and lack of rain.

Members also voted new directors to the MLA board.

Dr Saranne Cooke received 92.44 per cent of votes in favour. Dr Cooke has extensive board experience, including in thoroughbred racing and agriculture.

Lachie Hart was also elected and received 97.96 per cent of votes in favour. Mr Hart is chairman of the Stockyard Group.

Dr Stephen Lee was also successful in gaining a position with 96.95 per cent of the votes in favour. He is a director of the South Australian Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub.

Meanwhile, Julie McDonald was elected with 98.39 per cent of the votes from grass-fed levy holders.

MLA managing director Michael Crowley said the growth in the sector, including the $17.8 billion achieved from red meat exports, was a testament to the work of the organisation.

He said there was also a push for the mRNA vaccine for lumpy skin.

Targets to achieve 35 per cent of national vendor declarations lodged online weren’t met; it was closer to 30 per cent. However, the National Vendor Declaration (NVD) app had achieved 40,000 downloads.

“There is much to remain positive about for Australia’s beef cattle, sheep and goat sectors with the demand and outlook across all species looking strong,” Mr Crowley said.

Financial documents showed that MLA had a total income of $283.1 million for 2023.

Revenue was down 1.7 per cent to $283.1 million, while expenditure also dropped to 10.3 per cent to $276 million. MLA membership increased by 0.8 per cent.