Beef sustainability traceability pilot
New beef industry pilot project set to revolutionise on-farm sustainability and traceability reporting for the Australian agricultural sector
A landmark pilot project aimed at transforming on-farm sustainability reporting and supply chain traceability in the Australian beef industry has been launched by SEAOAK Consulting, in collaboration with a consortium of leading ag-tech innovators, producers, and industry bodies.
The pilot will trial a scalable, digital sustainability reporting framework designed to help beef producers track, verify, and share their on-farm environmental credentials across the supply chain. It responds to increasing global demand for transparency, environmental accountability, and verifiable product provenance - while helping producers meet Australia’s evolving sustainability landscape.
The pilot features Macka’s Australian Black Angus Beef, a leading low carbon beef producer, as the trial farm, and is supported by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA).
A connected system for compliance and market confidence
The pilot project will integrate cutting-edge ag-tech solutions with an integrated platform that interacts with existing tools and data across the
supply chain. It will be compatible with tools such as National Livestock Identification System (NLIS), Electronic National Vendor Declaration system (eNVD), AgTrace, existing on-farm data tools, and existing emissions calculators.
The pilot will feature:
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A streamlined, science-aligned farm sustainability reporting framework tailored for beef producers and aligned to leading standards such as the Australian Beef Sustainability Framework (ABSF), Australian Agricultural Sustainability Framework (AASF), UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), and the Australian Sustainability Reporting Standards related to mandatory climate reporting (ASRS);
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) for predictive climate and sustainability-related analytics. AI plays a pivotal role in this pilot by enabling predictive analytics and intelligent decision-support tools that help producers better manage climate variability, sustainability risks, and regulatory compliance. By analysing complex data from multiple on-farm systems and external sources, AI can identify patterns and trends such as pasture productivity, emissions hotspots, or animal health indicators allowing producers to take proactive, data-driven actions. Integrating AI into the platform ensures that sustainability reporting isn’t just a compliance exercise, but a strategic tool that enhances operational efficiency, market competitiveness, and environmental performance; and
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Blockchain-enabled traceability and GS1-powered QR codes that carry farm sustainability credentials along the supply chain, and that are compliant with Australian Agricultural Traceability Protocol (AATP), providing customers direct access to verified information about farm practices, emissions and animal welfare.
Why sustainability traceability is important
Global markets are placing increasing emphasis on sustainability, traceability, and ethical production. This strong global position comes with growing responsibility. Major export markets including the European Union, the United States, and key Asian countries are now demanding greater traceability, environmental performance, and proof of deforestation-free supply chains (European Commission. EU Deforestation Regulation Overview). Domestically, Australia’s AASB 2 climate-related financial disclosures, effective from FY25, will cascade through the agricultural supply chain, requiring verifiable data from primary producers (AASB, Climate-related Financial Disclosure).
Key figures:
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Australia is home to more than 45,000 beef cattle enterprises, together managing over half of the nation’s agricultural land and contributing significantly to the national economy (ABARES Agricultural Commodities Report 2024).
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Approximately 65% are engaged in the export market, supplying premium Australian beef to over 100 countries
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In 2023, over 70% of Australia’s total beef production was exported, generating more than $11 billion in export revenue (Meat & Livestock Australia. Fast Facts: Australia’s Beef Industry 2024)
Despite widespread commitment to land stewardship and animal welfare, most producers lack access to consistent digital tools that capture and communicate this work meaningfully.
Value and impact beyond the Australian beef industry
The learnings from this pilot are intended to support future rollout across Australian agriculture - helping producers across all commodities respond to rising expectations for transparency, climate action and resilience.
Pilot project timeline
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Pilot commencement: June 2025
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Pilot completion: June 2026
Interested in being involved in the pilot?
If your organisation is interested in learning more about the pilot project or exploring opportunities to join as a funding or investment partner, please get in touch using the contact details below—or stay connected by subscribing to our newsletter at the bottom of the page
Ebony Greaves
Chief Executive Officer, SEAOAK Consulting
+61 412 103 291
John McGuren
Project Manager Digital Agriculture, Meat & Livestock Australia
+61 428 864 877
Pilot project consortium partners
Progressing innovation, collaboration and science-based impact across the Australian agriculture industry
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