Disclaimer:© 2026. Meat & Livestock Australia. ABN 39 081 678 364. Care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication. However, MLA , MDC and ISC (“MLA Group”) do not accept responsibility for the accuracy, currency or completeness of the information or opinions contained in this publication. This publication is intended to provide general information only and it has been prepared without taking into account your specific circumstances, objectives, or needs. Any forwardlooking statements made within this publication are not guarantees of future performance or results, and performance or results may vary from those expressed in, or implied by, any forward-looking statements. No representation, warranty or other assurance is given as to the fairness, accuracy, completeness, likelihood of achievement or reasonableness of forward-looking statements or related assumptions contained in the publication. You should make your own enquiries before making decisions concerning your interests. Your use of, or reliance on, any content is entirely at your own risk and the MLA Group accepts no liability for any losses or damages incurred by you as a result of that use or reliance. MLA acknowledges the matching funds provided by the Australian Government to support the research and development detailed in this Annual Report.

Annual Report 2025–26

Towards 2030
Read the full report
ABOUT MLA

MLA invests in research and marketing activities for the benefit of the Australian red meat and livestock industry

What we do
Research, development and adoption

MLA invested $237.1 million in a range of research, development and adoption programs during 2025–26.
This included $116.4 million invested through MLA Donor Company (MDC). The total investment includes matching funds from the Australian Government and other grants.

In 2025–26, MLA completed or terminated 221 research contracts, worth $148.5 million. These include 68 MDC contracts, contributing a total value of $90.5 million.

MLA commenced 289 new research and development contracts totalling $215.1 million in 2025–26. These included 113 contracts through MDC equating to $174.3 million, with milestones across multiple years. As at 30 June 2026, there are 483 active research and development contracts worth $565.6 million.

Marketing, market access and insights

During the year MLA invested $110 million in marketing, market access and insights to grow demand for Australian red meat and livestock domestically and abroad. The majority of this investment was ineligible to be matched with funds from the Australian Government.

How we work

As the declared industry research and marketing body under the Primary Industries Levies and Charges Disbursement Act 2024, we operate in partnership with the Australian Government and value chain partners. The Australian Government sets priority research and development objectives covering community, industry and environmental concerns.

Peak industry bodies (PIBs) – Australian Lot Feeders’ Association, Cattle Australia, Goat Industry Council of Australia and Sheep Producers Australia – assist MLA in consulting with levy payers on industry needs and priorities, and provide guidance to ensure MLA strategy reflects these. MLA also works closely with the Red Meat Advisory Council, the Australian Meat Processor Corporation, the Australian Meat Industry Council, LiveCorp and the Australian Livestock Exporters' Council to develop programs that address key industry issues and opportunities through the supply chain, manage projects and communicate outcomes.

How we are funded

MLA is primarily funded via transaction levies paid on livestock sales by producers and these levies are used to support marketing, research and development activities. However, we also receive funding through:

  • funding co-contributions matching levy investment through the Australian Government
  • unmatched grants
  • other funding streams.

For the full breakdown of MLA’s funding sources, visit mla.com.au/how-we-are-funded

How we are governed

Our research, development and marketing activities are guided by a robust corporate planning and reporting framework. Find out more at mla.com.au/how-we-are-governed or page 88 of the Annual report for our corporate governance principles (in comparison to Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) corporate governance principles and recommendations).

Who we are
Our board

The MLA Board’s nine directors combine a broad range of skills, experience and expertise to set strategic priorities for the company and approve and monitor progress against MLA’s Strategic Plan. mla.com.au/board

Our business units

MLA delivers marketing, research and development on behalf of cattle, sheep and goat levy payers through six business units and one subsidiary company, MLA Donor Company (MDC). mla.com.au/how-we-deliver

Our staff

As of 30 June 2026, MLA had 287 employees, both domestically and internationally.

OVERVIEW

2025–26 highlights

Investments

All MLA programs are evaluated on a regular basis using a comprehensive Triple Bottom Line evaluation framework. This allows MLA to calculate investment returns in a systematic and timely basis rather than relying on a five-year evaluation cycle. It also allows MLA to continuously monitor the timing and value of the economic, social and environmental benefits derived from our investments.
Read more

Performance

Status of MLA’s 2025–26 key performance indicators (KPIs) as at 30 June 2026.

KPIs in MLA’s Annual Investment Plan 2025–26

AchievedPartly achievedNot achieved

Key initiatives in MLA’s Strategic Plan 2030

On trackNot on track

Membership

MLA membership is voluntary and free to all levy-paying grassfed cattle, grainfed cattle, sheep, lamb and goat producers. MLA had 50,844 members as of 30 June 2026, an increase of 203 members from 2025. The table below shows the composition of MLA’s members.

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The Data is Not Available

ALIGNMENT WITH GOVERNMENT PRIORITIES

R&D priorities

Alignment with government priorities

MLA’s research and development investments align with The National Science and Research Priorities which are:

  • transitioning to a net zero future
    supporting healthy and thriving communities
  • elevating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge systems
  • protecting and restoring Australia’s environment
    building a secure and resilient nation.
Read more

Consultation and collaboration

The Red Meat Advisory Council (RMAC) is the peak body that represents the collective interests of the Australian red meat industry. RMAC is responsible for the development of the red meat industry’s strategic plan (Red Meat 2030), which provides the overarching strategic framework that enables the direction, measurement and reporting of overall industry progress to government and industry stakeholders. Levy payers and the wider industry were consulted by RMAC during the development of Red Meat 2030.

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Value of research contracts at 30 June each financial year

CHAIR'S REPORT

With each issue we face, our resilience grows and we become stronger and better able to respond to the next challenge.

FY26 was a year of progress and success, despite the challenges we faced.

If one thing is true in agriculture, it’s that nothing ever stays the same for long. That was once again the case in FY26, as Australia’s red meat sector stepped its way through a range of domestic and international challenges.

We began the financial year with many producers reaching breaking point and forced to sell livestock as months of drought took their toll in southern parts of the country.

The northern wet season saw flooding rains for the second year in a row. Whilst stock losses weren’t as severe as the floods of 2025, the volume of water that swept across properties in Queensland’s Gulf was no less devastating for those experiencing it.

Read more
MANAGING DIRECTOR'S REPORT

It’s at times like this that the bold ambitions outlined in our Strategic Plan become even more significant, and their delivery even more necessary.

As we move into the second year of our strategic plan, we reflect on a period of success in the face of strong headwinds.

FY26 was a year of delivery for MLA, with significant steps taken to achieving our shared objectives with industry.

12 months ago we were in the midst of one of MLA’s largest periods of consultation, as we discussed, shared and communicated the MLA Strategic Plan 2030 with a broad cross-section of industry and the community; small and large producers, peak industry bodies, government departments, academic institutions, state farming organisations, breed societies and more.

Read more

Financial summary

Revenue ($ million)

$347.7 million

Expenditure ($ million)

$347.1 million

Retained earnings by funding source 2025–26

Grassfed cattle leviesGrainfed cattle leviesLamb levies
Mutton leviesGoat leviesMLA Donor Company
Integrity Systems Company

$83.2 million

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