Home - Beef Central

Weekly property review: Recently completed sales

Stratham family heads for next development project in FNQ | Buratovich family secures third NT property | Locals secure Riverina’s Gundaline for expansion | Historic Cooma block changes hands | Hunter Valley’s Templemore sells to a local..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, November 13, 2019

Property

Movement at the Station: Recent property listings

Greenvale’s Marionvale boasts good water | Proserpine’s Yarraman Park has development potential | Central Highlands block perfect for locals | Coreena East passed-in and now listed for sale | Versatile package in Naracoorte’s Moorex..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, November 13, 2019

News

ACC and Coles go separate ways in processing, brands and retail-ready work

National supermarket group Coles and its long-term northern beef supply chain partner Australian Country Choice are further decoupling their businesses, as both explore opportunities in export and brand development…Read More

Jon Condon, November 13, 2019

Lotfeeding

Feedlots start cutting back on numbers, as stock water reaches critical levels

Feedlots in some of the most seriously drought-impacted regions of eastern Australia have started reducing numbers on feed, as surface and underground supplies used for stock water reach a trigger-point…Read More

Jon Condon, November 13, 2019

Processing

Weekly kill: Grids maintain year-high rates, despite growing supply pressure

Strong international beef demand coupled with an easing Aussie dollar continue to underpin record high slaughter cattle prices in some areas, despite another substantial drought-forced wave of slaughter and store cattle hitting the market this week…Read More

Jon Condon, November 13, 2019

Markets

Roma store sale 12 Nov 2019: Yarding swells by 5000

Quality lines continued to sell to firm demand, while prices eased in places for steers and heifers, especially the lightweight end of the market while cows continued to improve…Read More

Beef Central, November 13, 2019

Weather

Weekly rainfall wrap + rain outlook, 12 Nov 2019

Cold fronts brought moderate falls to Tasmania and Victoria, while the tropical north had isolated thunderstorms and showers…Read More

Bureau of Meteorology, November 13, 2019

News

Drought impacts on 2019 MSA index performance, but broader trend is up

Beef Central, November 13, 2019

Production

Multi-faceted approach needed in methane reduction in cattle, TropAg conference told

Jon Condon, November 12, 2019

Live Export

‘Dumb is expensive’: make things better by making things different

James Nason, November 12, 2019

Property

NSW expertise brings irrigation and dryland farming to Qld’s Gulf country

Property editor Linda Rowley, November 12, 2019

Lotfeeding

Feedgrain Focus: Southern rain lifts prompt prices

Liz and Henry Wells, November 12, 2019

Markets

Wagga sale 11 Nov 2019: Bigger numbers impact market

Leann Dax, November 12, 2019

News

People on the Move: Appointments, retirements, achievements

Oakey manager Pat Gleeson leaves NH Foods | New operations director at ACC | Lotfeeder Mort & Co appoints chief executive | CSIRO Climate Science appoints new director | 46 year connection with industry ends for Qld ag department leader | MINTRAC award to TAFE SA meat trainer..Read More

Jon Condon, November 11, 2019

News

Meat wholesale business remains in administration, with debts above $5m

A Queensland-based meat wholesale business remains in voluntary administration this week, after creditors expressed opposition to a Deed of Company Arrangement proposed during a meeting on Friday…Read More

Jon Condon, November 8, 2019

Agribusiness

Landmark and Ruralco rebrand announced

Merged rural service companies Ruralco and Landmark will have their agricultural retail businesses rebranded as Nutrien Ag Solutions, it was announced today…Read More

Terry Sim, November 11, 2019

News

Indonesia reports first African Swine Fever outbreak

As the viral disease continues to spread across southeast Asia, Indonesia has reported its first outbreak of African Swine Fever, with reports of up to 4000 pigs dying at several sites near Medan, in Northern Sumatra…Read More

Beef Central, November 8, 2019

News

ACC and Coles go separate ways in processing, brands and retail-ready work

Jon Condon, November 13, 2019

Property

NSW expertise brings irrigation and dryland farming to Qld’s Gulf country

Harnessing occasional floodwaters for irrigation and dryland farming appears to be a step closer in far north Queensland, with a NSW father and son partnering-up to bring their farming expertise to the region, paying almost $25 million for land and water licenses for a large-scale northern cattle breeding and finishing property on the Flinders River…Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, November 12, 2019

Lotfeeding

Feedlots start cutting back on numbers, as stock water reaches critical levels

Jon Condon, November 13, 2019

Live Export

SE Asia Report: New 5pc breeder formula allows feeder permits to flow

Also in today’s October 2019 update: Chinese ASF epidemic results in sharp pork price rises as supply collapses and new a FMD outbreak in Thailand pushes cattle prices down…Read More

Dr Ross Ainsworth, November 8, 2019

News

Kay’s Cuts: Faux meat ain’t the real thing

The US beef industry is not sitting back and watching plant-based ‘meat’ sales grow. In fact, it has been on the attack for months and its campaign to prohibit the use of the word ‘meat’ is bearing fruit, US red meat market commentator Steve Kay reports in hist latest monthly column for Beef Central…Read More

Steve Kay, US Cattle Buyers Weekly, November 11, 2019

Production

Multi-faceted approach needed in methane reduction in cattle, TropAg conference told

A multi-faceted approach, rather than any single ‘silver bullet’, is likely to be the solution to methane reduction in cattle, the TropAg conference in Brisbane was told yesterday…Read More

Jon Condon, November 12, 2019

Industry Dashboard

$A / $US Graph

Updated 7am daily

Today

0.6800

Source: NAB

ASX Market Index

14 Nov 2019 (updated 10am daily)

Company	Price	Trending
Elders	$6.60
Australian Agricultural Co	$1.00
Graincorp	$7.47
Ridley	$1.16
Woolworths	$37.96
Wellard	$0.05

Source: ASX

Beef Kill

Eastern States, weekly

Last Week

154397

Source: MLA's NLRS

EYCI

Eastern Young Cattle Indicator, c/kg

Today

520.25

Source: MLA's NLRS

90CL Cow

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

Today

819.3

Source: Steiner Consulting, MLA

Live Export

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

Today

320

Source: Trade contacts

SOI Graph

Southern Oscillation Index (SOI)

Today

-4.95

Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology

Feeder Steer Graph

Shortfed feeder steer 380-500kg - c/kg paddock sales, eastern states.

Today

311.4

Source: MLA's NLRS

What readers are saying

Opinion: Australian ag must grow up to grow

Brett, I agree with the theme of your column but your division of consumers in Asia or anywhere else into social classes is inappropriate. You use the term “middle....

Patrick Francis

$1 billion drought package for hard-hit farmers and rural communities

One of the problems with any form of subsidy is that the funds end up in the pockets of those most powerful in the supply chain, the retailers, in....

Andrew Dunlop

Virtual reality brings international beef customers into the Australian paddock

Well done Signature Beef. It is this type of marketing innovation which is fundamental to profiling individual Australian beef brands to international customers. There is also a....

Timothy L Kelf

Anuga: Red meat trends from the world’s biggest food trade show + photos

Nice work Beef Central - really interesting summary.....

Karl McKellar

ACC and Coles go separate ways in processing, brands and retail-ready work

Jon Condon, November 13, 2019

Drought impacts on 2019 MSA index performance, but broader trend is up

Drought has had an inevitable impact on MSA eating quality index performance in 2018-19, however the longer-term trend remains up. The national average MSA Index figure last financial year was 57.62, down from about 57.75 the year before, but still improving 0.73 index points since 2010-11…Read More

Beef Central, November 13, 2019

People on the Move: Appointments, retirements, achievements

Jon Condon, November 11, 2019

Kay’s Cuts: Faux meat ain’t the real thing

Steve Kay, US Cattle Buyers Weekly, November 11, 2019

Markets

Roma store sale 12 Nov 2019: Yarding swells by 5000

Quality lines continued to sell to firm demand, while prices eased in places for steers and heifers, especially the lightweight end of the market while cows continued to improve…Read More

Beef Central, November 13, 2019

Wagga sale 11 Nov 2019: Bigger numbers impact market

The looming summer didn’t deter restockers, with weaner store prices lifting a few cents. ..Read More

Leann Dax, November 12, 2019

Feeder steer average 313c in larger AuctionsPlus offering

Numbers on AuctionsPlus rose by 1700 head this week, as some producers capitalised on rain in parts of eastern Australia earlier in the week, using it as an opportunity to sell quality feeder stock at higher prices…Read More

Jon Condon, November 8, 2019

Seasonal uncertainty weighs on Wodonga prices

Backgrounders and bullock finishers from the local northeast valleys have buoyed this month’s Landmark and Elders store cattle market held Thursday at the Northern Victoria Livestock Exchange (Wodonga)…Read More

Murray Arnel, November 8, 2019

Production

Multi-faceted approach needed in methane reduction in cattle, TropAg conference told

A multi-faceted approach, rather than any single ‘silver bullet’, is likely to be the solution to methane reduction in cattle, the TropAg conference in Brisbane was told yesterday…Read More

Jon Condon, November 12, 2019

Mosaic agriculture paves way beef production diversification

Lessons learned from research into the potential for mosaic agriculture in northern Western Australia were revealed at the Kimberley Pilbara Cattlemen’s Association’s Innovation Conference field day in Broome this week…Read More

Beef Central, November 7, 2019

Producers warned to test stressed stockfeed for nitrate levels

Up to 25 percent of failed crops tested in the past week had nitrate levels which pose a health risk to stock…Read More

Beef Central, November 1, 2019

At-risk NSW producers urged to vaccinate following second Anthrax case

NSW Department of Primary Industries and Local Land Services is encouraging farmers in the centre of the state to vaccinate their livestock following confirmation of a second case of anthrax for 2019. ..Read More

Beef Central, October 30, 2019

Processing

Weekly kill: Grids maintain year-high rates, despite growing supply pressure

Jon Condon, November 13, 2019

Intercollegiate Meat Judging to return to Rocky in 2020

The Intercollegiate Meat Judging (ICMJ) Northern Conference and Competition will return to Rockhampton in 2020, with dates now in place for its second edition after this year’s successful inaugural event…Read More

Beef Central, November 11, 2019

Weekly kill: Grid prices stabilise, after previous week’s dramatic rises

Queensland processor grid offers stabilised this week, after dramatic 20c/kg rises seen in last week’s kill report. However further eye-catching advances in lean grinding beef prices into the US this week have sparked speculation that slaughter cow values may reach considerably higher prices during 2020..Read More

Jon Condon, November 5, 2019

Victoria passes legislation to allow mobile meat processing

Legislation has now passed the Victorian Parliament clearing the way for mobile abattoirs to process meat on farms for commercial sale in the State…Read More

James Nason, November 5, 2019

Lotfeeding

Feedlots start cutting back on numbers, as stock water reaches critical levels

Jon Condon, November 13, 2019

Feedgrain Focus: Southern rain lifts prompt prices

Rain has stemmed the supply of new-crop wheat to the market, and rebooted the inverse as consumers in Victoria and southern NSW look to cover nearby positions…Read More

Liz and Henry Wells, November 12, 2019

Feedgrain Focus: Weaker barley price buys demand

Supply-side pressure is weighing on barley and buying it some demand from wheat as tonnage starts to roll into bulk-handling sites across southern Australia…Read More

Liz Wells, November 5, 2019

Zoetis, AA Co dig deep to support mental health

Animal Health company Zoetis has hit its yearly target, raising $100,000 to support mental health in rural Australia over the past three months. ..Read More

Beef Central, November 1, 2019

Live Export

‘Dumb is expensive’: make things better by making things different

Keeping an open mind – and avoiding premature evaluation of an idea – is essential to the process of effectively embracing change, founder of Minds at Work, Jason Clarke, told the recent LIVEXchange conference in Townsville…Read More

James Nason, November 12, 2019

SE Asia Report: New 5pc breeder formula allows feeder permits to flow

Also in today’s October 2019 update: Chinese ASF epidemic results in sharp pork price rises as supply collapses and new a FMD outbreak in Thailand pushes cattle prices down…Read More

Dr Ross Ainsworth, November 8, 2019

Laporan Pasar: Industri Daging Sapi Asia Tenggara – Oktober 2019

Also in today’s October 2019 update: Chinese ASF epidemic results in sharp pork price rises as supply collapses and new a FMD outbreak in Thailand pushes cattle prices down…Read More

Dr Ross Ainsworth, November 8, 2019

What does Australia really think about the live export industry?

Beyond what the loudest voices say on social media, what does the middle 90 percent of community think about live exports? A new three year research program has been set in motion to find out…Read More

James Nason, November 5, 2019

Trade

Analysis: China at crossroads in rebuilding its pork industry, post ASF

Dramatic changes may lie ahead for China’s pork industry, if it is to start the long and slow recovery process from African Swine Fever, independent meat analyst Simon Quilty reports… ..Read More

Guest Author, November 7, 2019

Anuga: Two-way benefits in TFI’s investment in EU importer/distributor

Strategic investment in its European importer’s business last year has paid big dividends for Australian beef and sheepmeat exporter Thomas Foods International. TFI shared a stand with its partner Luiten Food at the Anuga food trade show in Germany last month – marking a 12 month milestone since it invested in its European distributor/wholesaler…Read More

Jon Condon, November 6, 2019

October exports: Will China finish the year as Australia’s largest beef customer?

It is not out of the question China could finish 2019 as Australia’s largest annual export beef customer, which would represent the first time in 50 years a country other than US and Japan has claimed the distinction…Read More

Jon Condon, November 4, 2019

Beef, live cattle exports to SEA could top $13b by 2025, report suggests

Beef and live cattle exports to South East Asian nations could deliver up to $13 billion per year to the Australian economy by 2025, a new report shows…Read More

Beef Central, October 30, 2019

Genetics

Weekly genetics review: Reflecting on the challenges of the 2019 bull selling season

As the 2019 bull selling season draws to a close, there are some key trends that have emerged from what has been a challenging year for all producers across the country. Despite the continued reduction in cow numbers, this year’s spring bull selling season was not as tough as many producers first feared. Strong sales with high clearances occurred across most breeds in NSW and Victoria, while in the north demand for bulls remained as strong as previous years, with total clearances at major sales…Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, November 7, 2019

Weekly genetics review: Are our mature cows becoming too big?

Throughout this year’s drought, one emerging trend has been the topic of mature cow size. There are a number of causes for this trend to develop. Firstly the on-going impact of poor to desperate seasons across Australia has focussed many producers on the nutritional challenges in maintaining larger cows. At the same time, the increased selection of bulls for growth and carcase weight has seen industry question the size of cattle being produced, reports genetics editor Alastair Rayner…Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, October 29, 2019

Weekly genetics review: Production systems the focus in new breed indexes

The new Hereford breeding Indexes due for release this month are a big departure on previous indexes, with a focus on production environment and breeding program as the primary drivers and not just finishing system. This is probably the first of the new direction for breeding indexes and reflects an effort to provide producers with greater opportunities to choose bulls that actually help produce cattle for their country, reports genetics editor Alastair Rayner…Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, October 22, 2019

Genetics: IVF calves attract big premiums at spring bull sales

Results from prominent recent Queensland bull sales have further highlighted the impact that In-Vitro Fertilisation artificial breeding techniques are having on sale bull values, by greatly expanding access to elite maternal genetics…Read More

Jon Condon, October 22, 2019

Ag Tech

New digital ag research station to help future-proof farms

Drones, remote monitoring and advanced data analytics will provide scientists unprecedented accuracy in studying crops and farming systems able to cope with climate change, at the new Boorowa Agriculture Research Station, opened by Australia’s national science agency CSIRO this week…Read More

Beef Central, November 9, 2019

Virtual reality brings international beef customers into the Australian paddock

Virtual reality technology has helped international beef customers at the world’s biggest food trade show to experience Australia’s high levels of animal welfare and clean and green production environment. ..Read More

Jon Condon, November 5, 2019

Early adopter program aims to link farmers with agtech providers

A national entrepreneurial development program for primary producers is calling for innovative producers to throw their hat in the ring. The Farmers2Founders (F2F) Early Adopter Program has been designed for forward-thinking producers who want tech solutions for on-farm issues, and want to work with tech companies to ensure these solutions are the best they can be…Read More

Beef Central, November 3, 2019

Qld AgTech Month – Full list and links to events

When the organisers of several AgTech focused events in Queensland in November first realised how many similar events were being held throughout the same State during the same month, they started to worry – would the competing events counteract and work against each other?..Read More

James Nason, October 24, 2019