Feedlot Research for Accelerated Adoption (RAAD) Program – Meat & Livestock Australia

Purpose and Program Overview

The Feedlot Research for Accelerated Adoption (RAAD) Program is a $45 million, five-year investment launched by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and delivered as a strategic partnership with the Australian Lot Feeders’ Association (ALFA) through the MLA Donor Company (MDC) to drive commercially focused innovation across Australia’s feedlot sector. The program embeds structured research directly within operating commercial feedlots rather than isolated test facilities, generating real-world, commercial-scale evidence intended to give lot feeders confidence to adopt new technologies more quickly.

The initiative directly supports the objectives of the MLA Strategic Plan 2030, with a particular focus on accelerating the adoption of proven tools and technologies that improve livestock productivity, animal wellbeing and business resilience. It is structured to roll out progressively, with the initial tranche focused on a specific priority area before expanding into additional research themes identified by industry.

Within this broader framework, RAAD is designed to bridge the gap between research and on-farm adoption. By co-funding research planning, monitoring, and analysis while leaving capital investment decisions with feedlot operators, the program aims to accelerate uptake of innovation while preserving commercial ownership and control at the feedlot level.

Key Grant Details

• Funding pool: $45 million total investment over five years
• Funding model: MDC co-funding; MLA funds research planning, monitoring, data analysis and reporting, while participating in feedlot funds and retaining ownership of physical infrastructure
• Application status: Expressions of Interest are currently open for the initial tranche of projects
• Eligible applicants: National Feedlot Accreditation Scheme (NFAS) accredited commercial feedlots
• Co-contribution required: Yes – feedlot businesses are responsible for capital costs and infrastructure ownership
• Location applicability: Australia-wide, open to NFAS-accredited feedlots in any state or territory

Priority Sectors

The program is specific to the commercial feedlot (cattle lot feeding) sector within Australian agriculture. The initial tranche prioritises shade and shelter systems, with future tranches expected to extend into animal health and welfare, automation and labour efficiency, performance optimisation, and environmental sustainability.

Funding Scope

• Initial tranche focus: Shade and shelter systems, including canopy designs and partial/full pen shelters, assessed for economic and welfare impacts across different climates
• Future priority areas: Automation and labour efficiency (autonomous feeding, automated health diagnosis, extreme weather prediction); animal health and welfare (vaccine performance, herd monitoring); environmental sustainability (greenhouse gas suppression, manure and effluent value-adding); and performance optimisation (bunk management, water quality, cattle sorting)
• Funding categories: Research planning, implementation, monitoring, data analysis and technical reporting (funded by MDC); physical infrastructure and capital works (funded by the feedlot operator)
• Project release structure: Calls for projects are released progressively across the five-year program rather than in a single round, directing funding to the areas of greatest commercial impact at each stage
• Program duration: Five years from launch

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be a commercial feedlot operating in Australia
• Must hold National Feedlot Accreditation Scheme (NFAS) accreditation
• Must be willing to host or partner in structured, on-site research activities under active operating conditions
• Must be prepared to share resulting data and findings with the wider industry, as part of the program’s transparent reporting model
• Must retain the capacity to fund and own any physical infrastructure required for the research

Eligible Activities and Expenses

• Installation and evaluation of shade and shelter infrastructure (canopies, partial/full pen shelters)
• Trialling automation technologies, including autonomous feeding systems and automated health diagnosis tools
• Participation in vaccine performance trials, such as Bovine Respiratory Disease research
• Implementation of herd and welfare monitoring systems
• Trialling environmental management technologies, including greenhouse gas suppression and manure/effluent value-adding systems
• Adoption of performance optimisation tools, including bunk management and water quality monitoring systems

Assessment Process

Participation is competitive and based on expressions of interest rather than automatic entitlement. Applicants outline their research and development objectives and provide details of pen layouts and site suitability through the official Expressions of Interest portal. While detailed scoring criteria have not been published, applications are expected to be assessed on alignment with program priorities, site suitability for the relevant research activity, and capacity to support data collection and reporting.

Recent Program Updates

The RAAD Program was newly launched in 2026 as a flagship $45 million initiative, with the first tranche focused on shade and shelter research. MLA has indicated that future tranches will progressively expand into automation, animal health and welfare, environmental sustainability, and performance optimisation as the program develops. Feedlot operators should monitor official MLA channels for announcements of subsequent funding tranches.

Application Tips

• Confirm NFAS accreditation status before applying, as this is a core eligibility requirement
• Prepare detailed pen layout information and site documentation in advance of submitting an Expression of Interest
• Align proposed research activities with the current tranche’s priority focus area
• Be ready to demonstrate the feedlot’s capacity to host structured research and contribute to data collection and reporting
• Clearly outline the operation’s R&D objectives and expected outcomes when completing the EOI

Where to Get Help

Consider consulting a grant specialist like Pattens Group for a personalised eligibility assessment and expert assistance in preparing a strong, compliant and competitive application. Contact us today and get connected with Australia’s best grant specialist, boasting over 35 years of experience in the industry and a 100% success rate. For official guidelines, application details, templates, and further information, visit the official website of Meat & Livestock Australia and other associated Australian government websites.