The meat industry is one of four primary sector partnerships that have scored some more government money for research.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has distributed $15 million from its biological industries research fund. A meat research group is getting $4.3 million of that.
Meat Industry Association chief executive Tim Ritchie said the money was to complete research that includes finding ways to increase the shelf-life of chilled lamb exports, converting meat and bone meal into food for fish farms and a ground-breaking food safety project.
Other funding has gone to a pastoral farming and science partnership that is getting more than $3 million for commercialising forage biotechnologies.
The apple industry will receive $4.3 million for research into pests and diseases, to help with market access for apples in Asian markets.
A wine industry partnership will get $3.5 million to increase the lifespan and profitability of vineyards.
The projects are separate from the various Primary Growth Partnership schemes that the Government is funding.