Home - Beef Central

Early levy review feedback reveals support for marketing, biosecurity and representation

A new discussion paper released on Friday as part of the ongoing cattle transaction levy review provides some early insights into producer feedback received so far through a national online survey, which is still open…Read More

James Nason, 27/07/2026

News

US to reopen cattle imports from Mexico despite ongoing screwworm concerns

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced it will reopen one section of the US-Mexico border to Mexican cattle imports in August, easing a ban imposed in November 2024 in response to the spread of New World screwworm in Mexico…Read More

James Nason, 27/07/2026

Genetics

Charolais/Charbray World Congress kicks off at Brisbane Ekka

Charolais and Charbray cattle breeders from across the world will converge on Brisbane early next month for the World Charolais Congress. The 17-day program, including pre and post tours of stud and commercial breeding operations and feedlots in Queensland, NSW and Victoria, kicks off in Brisbane on 5 August, before taking in the Ekka Charolais judging on Friday 7 August…Read More

Beef Central, 27/07/2026

News

RMA agents raise hefty $46,000 for worthy charity

Independent agents from across Australia who gathered for the recent RMA Network conference in Brisbane raised more than $46,000 during the event’s gala dinner. A total of 15 charity auction items went under the auctioneers’ hammer, raising $46,196 for the Cure for Brain Cancer cause…Read More

Beef Central, 27/07/2026

Beef Pro is here: Halter’s new planning layer already lifting pasture utilisation by up to 30pc

For Australian beef producers, the pressure to do more with the same land never really goes away. Feed costs, labour constraints, variable seasons – they all push in the same direction. The question is always the same: how do you get more from what you’ve already got?..Read More

NSW Farmers raise concerns about “big stick” approach to feral pigs

NSW Farmers has warned a feral pig control pilot program for the Walgett region will not achieve coordination success with threats of hefty fines for farmers. ..Read More

Beef Central, 27/07/2026

Lotfeeding

Feedgrain Focus: Prices keep kicking, growers hold in dry week

Grain prices are continuing their rise, fuelled by the heat in global wheat markets, and by uncertainty from the Australian grower about new-crop production…Read More

Liz Wells, 27/07/2026

Markets

Clearance slides to 61pc in smaller 16,247 head online offering

Cattle listings eased 6pc this week to 16,247 head, while clearance plunged to 61pc. Lighter steer and heifer weight categories retracted in average, while heavier heifers showed some improvement…Read More

Beef Central, 24/07/2026

Markets

Forbes sale 27 July 2026: Numbers lift 30pc to 1946 head, as market eases

Beef Central, 27/07/2026

Genetics

Brisbane’s EKKA celebrates 150 years, with beef at the forefront

Beef Central, 23/07/2026

News

Japan Wagyu tour 2027 promises to expand Aussie breeders’ knowledge

Beef Central, 24/07/2026

News

Aussie beef excluded from latest 12.5pc US tariff hike

Jon Condon, 24/07/2026

Markets

Cattle “going the other way” as Roma has busiest fortnight of the year

Eric Barker, 24/07/2026

Live Export

New live export State of the Industry report released

Beef Central, 24/07/2026

Industry Dashboard

Carbon Trading Market

Aust. Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) - $/tonne of CO2 equiv.

Today

37.95

Source: Jarden

$A / $US

Updated 7am daily

Today

0.6981

Source: NAB

ASX Market Index

28 Jul 2026 (updated 10am daily)

Company	Price	Trending
Elders	$8.96
Australian Agricultural Co	$1.52
Graincorp	$7.29
Ridley	$2.12
Woolworths	$36.64
Wellard	$0.06

Source: ASX

Beef Kill

Eastern States, weekly

Last Week

146985

Source: MLA's NLRS

EYCI

Eastern Young Cattle Indicator, c/kg

Today

1003.6

Source: MLA's NLRS

90CL Cow

Imported 90CL cow beef price. Landed US, Ac/kg CIF

Today

1108

Source: Steiner Consulting, MLA

Live Export

Live export feeder steer prices ex Darwin (c/kg liveweight)

Today

400

Source: Trade contacts

SOI

Southern Oscillation Index (SOI)

Today

-17.02

Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology

Feeder Steer

NLRS-reported yards (feedlot buyers only); 0-600kg, 0-2T, c/kg LW

Today

542

Source: Feeder Steer

What readers are saying

Should cattle producers be able to redirect levy spending?

The answer to the above question l believe is ‘yes’. May I also suggest that the current roadshow of the Levies review committee has not been adequately promoted. As....

Sandy Maconochie

SE Asia Report: El Nino moves from forecast to fact as the region starts pricing it in

SE Asian report 17/7/26. A great report, extensive, informative. I really enjoyed reading it.....

Stephen Holt

SE Asia Report: El Nino moves from forecast to fact as the region starts pricing it in

Thank you. Great story this. It's the most comprehensive analysis of El Niño I've read in any Australian media.....

Kenrick Riley

Less is more: rethink stocking rates to reverse land condition decline in northern Australia

An excellent article which warrants serious consideration....

Peter Vincent

Early levy review feedback reveals support for marketing, biosecurity and representation

James Nason, 27/07/2026

US to reopen cattle imports from Mexico despite ongoing screwworm concerns

James Nason, 27/07/2026

RMA agents raise hefty $46,000 for worthy charity

Beef Central, 27/07/2026

NSW Farmers raise concerns about “big stick” approach to feral pigs

NSW Farmers has warned a feral pig control pilot program for the Walgett region will not achieve coordination success with threats of hefty fines for farmers. ..Read More

Beef Central, 27/07/2026

Markets

Clearance slides to 61pc in smaller 16,247 head online offering

Beef Central, 24/07/2026

Forbes sale 27 July 2026: Numbers lift 30pc to 1946 head, as market eases

Numbers lifted at this morning’s Forbes sale with agents yarding 1946 head, up 30pc on last week. Quality was mixed though there was some good lines of well bred feeder cattle penned along with the secondary types. There was an improved offering of cows and the usual buyers were present and competing in an easier market…Read More

Beef Central, 27/07/2026

Cattle “going the other way” as Roma has busiest fortnight of the year

Saleyard prices have continued to hold up as some bigger runs of cattle start to move in Queensland…Read More

Eric Barker, 24/07/2026

Dubbo sale 23 July 2026: Numbers surge to 3200, with grown steers and heifers 8c cheaper

Grown steers and heifers were 8c cheaper in a larger yarding of +3200 at Dubbo yesterday..Read More

David Monk, NLRS, 24/07/2026

Australia’s largest cattle company has invested in the development of a biodegradable pregnancy prevention implant for female cattle as an alternative to spaying…Read More

Lydia Burton, 22/07/2026

Success in loading cleanskin cattle on a wide loading ramp + video

An innovative north Queensland family have built a smaller version of the Stressless loading ramp, pioneered by John Lethbridge, successfully using it to load cleanskin scrub cattle at a property north of Hughenden…Read More

Jane Phillips, 15/07/2026

Less is more: rethink stocking rates to reverse land condition decline in northern Australia

New research and financial analysis have identified opportunities to increase herd profitability while reversing land condition decline in northern Australia. ..Read More

Beef Central, 15/07/2026

Processing

Weekly kill: Grids mostly steady, as mid-winter supply lull meets tight meat trade environment

There’s little change evident in direct consignment slaughter cattle price offers this week, as the typical mid-winter southern cattle supply lull is counter-balanced by rapidly deteriorating meat export trading conditions…Read More

Jon Condon, 21/07/2026

EU drops hides from the deforestation list, beef still included

Leather and hides are set to be carved out of the European Deforestation Regulation, with the continent’s new import laws for several commodities (including beef) set to come into play later this year. ..Read More

Eric Barker, 17/07/2026

Weekly kill: Mild winter holding back meatworks cattle, but a mini-surge looks likely

Every second conversation in the cattle industry this month seems to remark on the mildness of winter conditions this year, with many susceptible cattle areas yet to see a frost. The effect, in some cases, has been to push cattle processing commitments back, as cattle continue to gain weight at a time that they would normally be starting to slip…Read More

Jon Condon, 14/07/2026

Value adding hides: bovine hair an underutilised source of keratin

The need to address declining hide returns is fuelling a range of innovative research projects at AMPC and the latest has looked into bovine hair as an underutilised source of keratin…Read More

Beef Central, 14/07/2026

Lotfeeding

Feedgrain Focus: Prices keep kicking, growers hold in dry week

Grain prices are continuing their rise, fuelled by the heat in global wheat markets, and by uncertainty from the Australian grower about new-crop production…Read More

Liz Wells, 27/07/2026

Feeder cattle market: Forward contracts hit new level as cattle prices hold firm

The feeder market is continuing its run of strong prices, with grids holding firm at 2022 levels and forward contract prices going up to accommodate the cattle prices…Read More

Eric Barker, 20/07/2026

Feedgrain Focus: Offshore heat kicks local market

Prices have jumped in response to Russia’s shipping problems and the heat-hit Europe crop, and Australian consumers are facing some competition on wheat as well as barley…Read More

Liz Wells, 20/07/2026

An economy without feedlots – what’s the impact?

If the Australian feedlot industry were to be shut down or regulated out of existence how would the economy be impacted?..Read More

Beef Central, 17/07/2026

Live Export

New live export State of the Industry report released

Australia exported more than 1.16 million livestock worth almost $1.1 billion in 2025, with live cattle exports reaching their highest level since 2019 and animal mortality rates remaining at historically low levels, according to a new industry report released today by LiveCorp…Read More

Beef Central, 24/07/2026

SE Asia Report: El Nino moves from forecast to fact as the region starts pricing it in

NOAA has declared an El Nino, formed in June and tipped to strengthen into 2027, and across Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines governments have moved from watching to spending | A dry year’s feed and disease stress lands on the part of the Indonesian trade already squeezed between a capped feedlot price and dearer Australian cattle | Manila is building home-grown foot-and-mouth and swine fever vaccine capability…Read More

Dr Michael Patching, 17/07/2026

Why northern live export prices aren’t easing

Prices for northern live export feeder steers into Indonesia have remained resilient with rates of $4/kg liveweight ex Darwin and higher for premium lines continuing to hold despite the seasonal lift in supply…Read More

James Nason, 25/06/2026

SE Asia Report: Vietnam trade draws fresh interest | China recognises Brazil as FMD free

The big news this month came from outside the region, China recognising the whole of Brazil as free of foot-and-mouth disease and opening the world’s largest beef market fully to the world’s largest beef exporter. The reason it matters here is twofold…Read More

Dr Michael Patching, 11/06/2026

Trade

Booming slow-cook BBQ movement explores fusion, secondary cuts

Some of the world’s most acclaimed competition BBQ chefs gathered in Brisbane for a Low & Slow BBQ festival on the weekend, attracting around 8000 meat-loving patrons. The talent on hand provided the perfect opportunity to get a handle on where the American BBQ movement is heading and what’s new…Read More

Jon Condon, 14/07/2026

Manufacturing meat markets under pressure, as Brazilian challenge mounts

There’s plenty of evidence of ‘tougher going’ on the export beef sales front as the new financial year unfolds – especially at the manufacturing meat end…Read More

Jon Condon, 10/07/2026

Aussie beef takes centre stage with Soccer World Cup TV coverage

Millions of people have had a taste of Aussie beef during the FIFA World Cup, with an Australian Beef ad campaign by MLA scoring goals across SBS’s coverage…Read More

Beef Central, 09/07/2026

June beef exports to China slump in wake of tariff, but other markets absorbing the slack

Despite a dramatic decline in beef exports last month to China, other markets have stepped into the fold, absorbing much of the slack, latest trade data shows…Read More

Jon Condon, 02/07/2026

Genetics

Charolais/Charbray World Congress kicks off at Brisbane Ekka

Beef Central, 27/07/2026

Brisbane’s EKKA celebrates 150 years, with beef at the forefront

The Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year – and one of its longest-standing traditions will take centre stage when Ekka Beef Week kicks off on Monday 3 August. Beef Week isn’t just for exhibitors, it’s a celebration of the entire beef industry, with the opportunity to share knowledge, build connections and strengthen relationships across all sectors of the supply chain…Read More

Beef Central, 23/07/2026

Weekly genetics review: Balancing market value and adaptation in northern bull selection

This week’s genetics review looks at what we know about British genetics being used in northern programs, particularly where daughters are retained. It works through what the available performance information can and cannot tell a producer about how those daughters will breed under northern conditions…Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 21/07/2026

Structural defects – what we can’t always pick up, by eyeball assessment

This article describes the limits of visual appraisal, where the eye can pick up a structural problem but we can’t tell how much of it is inherited and how much comes down to nutrition, growth rate or injury. For bull breeders, it means recording structure across the whole calf drop and the reason each bull was culled…Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 21/07/2026

Ag Tech

Virtual fencing delivers 99pc sheep, 96pc cattle compliance in US grazing trial

A year-long grazing trial in the United States has demonstrated high rates of compliance for cattle and sheep managed with virtual fencing technology…Read More

James Nason, 08/07/2026

High-tech simulator boosting safety on Queensland farms

A machinery simulation unit will be deployed to schools and feedlots across Qld as AgForce Training works to boost farm safety…Read More

Beef Central, 08/07/2026

In-the-box solution harnesses solar power for remote agriculture

Charles Sturt University is trialling new technology that will allow equipment and infrastructure to be operated in remote areas where grid power is unavailable…Read More

Beef Central, 29/06/2026

Profitability is sustainability, in that order

Producers are being asked to care about emissions, but Collin Kramer argues chasing the wrong number could come at a real cost. In this opinion piece, he identifies the figure that really matters…Read More

Collin Kramer, C-Lock Inc, 03/06/2026

AgProperty Central

Weekly property review: Recently completed sales

Langenhovens expand northern NSW holdings | NQ’s Inkerman Station changes hands for $34m+ | Neighbour pays $22m for Roma finishing country | $9.5m for NSW Western Plains country | NSW National Parks secures Pulgamutie Station..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 22/07/2026

Movement at the station: Recent property listings in QLD

Mingindi’s Inglestone offers scale & flexibility | FNQ carbon & cattle station | Desert Uplands breeder block | Lawrence family’s well regarded Kendah lists..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 22/07/2026

Properties for sale: NSW and the NT

NT’s Blackbull returns to the market | Top End cropping & live export potential | Reduced price for Casino’s Avoca Farms..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 22/07/2026

Weekly property review: What a $25m budget buys in different grazing country across Australia

From tightly-held improved pasture in the south to extensive natural pasture cattle country in the north and west, a budget of $25 million buys very different grazing assets depending on the location. This week’s property review compares the scale, carrying capacity, water security and infrastructure available at that price point across the nation…Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 15/07/2026

AgCarbon Central

Scientists warn ‘carbon tunnel vision’ risks misguided climate policies on livestock

“Carbon tunnel vision” that over emphasises greenhouse gas emissions as the primary metric evaluating environmental impacts risks compromising reasonable pathways to reducing livestock emissions, a new scientific paper warns…Read More

James Nason, 16/07/2026

We’re counting cattle emissions wrong (and why it matters to every Australian)

Australia is taking responsibility for increased warming it is not causing, and the consequences stretch far beyond the farm gate, according to a recently published paper…Read More

Beef Central, 10/07/2026

New livestock ACCU method now in development

Work has started on a new livestock sector method to replace the terminated Beef Cettle Herd Magement scheme and allow producers to earn Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) for herd management practices that reduce methane emissions…Read More

James Nason, 15/06/2026

Debate emerges over plans to cut carbon market

Debate has emerged this week over the future of one of Australia’s longest standing climate policies, with One Nation and the Coalition planning to scrap a key part of carbon market if either of them come into Government at the next election…Read More

Eric Barker, 12/06/2026