Home - Beef Central

Six take-home messages from Japanese Wagyu export beef showcase

Australian food service customers from the hotel, restaurant and resort sector were treated to a rare insight into Japanese-produced elite-level Wagyu beef in Brisbane last week. Here’s Beef Central’s six key take-homes from the event..Read More

Jon Condon, 09/02/2023

Live Export

SE Asia Report: Indonesian beef market under further pressure I Lunar New Year celebrations

109th Edition: Jan 2023: Ross Ainsworth has retired (again) to enjoy life from the beach in Bali, well-known SE Asian region ag expert Michael Patching takes up the reins | Competition in Indonesia intensifies with 11 more plants approved for Brazil | Vietnam has engaged in a serious anti-graft crackdown with anecdotally high spending over Tet…Read More

Dr Michael Patching, 09/02/2023

News

Large goat processing numbers expected, as price drops

Large numbers of goats are expected to come out of Western Queensland and New South Wales this year, despite the price dropping to less than half in the space of six months…Read More

Eric Barker, 09/02/2023

Live Export

Slow going for cattle shipments in January

Australian cattle export volumes in January fell to the lowest monthly total totalled in more a decade, with just 24,347 shipped to all markets…Read More

Beef Central, 09/02/2023

Markets

Dalby sale 8 Feb 2023: Numbers top national weekly yardings

Light weight yearling steers returning to the paddock experience very little change in price. Yearling steers and heifers to feed for the domestic market improved in price by 10c to 15c/kg…Read More

Beef Central, 09/02/2023

Bluetooth and GPS ear tags move ahead

Agtech company mOOvement has announced the release of two new products, Bluetooth ear tags and a new version of GPS ear tags for cattle…Read More

Báo cáo về Thị Trường Đông Nam Á: Thị trường thịt bò In-đô-nê-si-a chịu thêm áp lực I Nghỉ Tết Nguyên đán

Ấn bản thứ 109: tháng 01 năm 2023: Ông Ross Ainsworth đã nghỉ hưu (nghỉ hưu lần 2) để tận hưởng cuộc sống biển ở Bali |
Sự cạnh tranh tại In-đô-nê-si-a ngày càng gay gắt khi nước này đã phê duyệt nhập khẩu cho 11 xưởng chế biến xuất khẩu mới của Bra-xin |
Việt Nam đã tiến hành một chiến dịch chống tham nhũng trên diện rộng; và mức chi tiêu của nước này ở mức cao ngất ngưởng trong dịp Tết..Read More

Michael Patching, 09/02/2023

Property

Weekly property review: Properties for sale

Commercial scale in northern NSW | CQ’s El Rocco up for grabs | Large scale grazing & grain growing in southern QLD | High rainfall grazing in southern NSW offers passive income | Tightly held breeder block in CQ |
CQ cattle breeding & cash cropping | Southern QLD’s Tabooba offers diversity | Winton’s Wando offered separately | Two grazing opportunities on South Australia’s Kangaroo Island..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 08/02/2023

Property

Re-listed and re-scheduled properties

Property editor Linda Rowley, 08/02/2023

Property

Shifting debt dynamics influencing property investment trends

Beef Central, 08/02/2023

News

The ethical arguments in favour of meat consumption

James Nason, 08/02/2023

News

MLA herd estimate may be three million heavy, says analyst

Jon Condon, 08/02/2023

News

Prime time for red meat at Parliamentary celebration

Beef Central, 08/02/2023

Property

Casino operator Star Entertainment secures Qld property for carbon

Beef Central, 08/02/2023

News

MLA herd estimate may be three million heavy, says analyst

Independent meat and livestock industry analyst Simon Quilty thinks MLA’s recent 2023 beef herd estimate may be close to three million head too high. Mr Quilty is one of a number of industry stakeholders who have raised questions about the herd estimate over the past week. ..Read More

Jon Condon, 08/02/2023

Markets

Ballarat’s annual joined and calved female cattle sale tops expectations

Specially prepared lots of pregnant Angus heifers met strong and steady demand in a penning of 1690 at Ballarat’s annual joined and calved female cattle sale on Friday…Read More

Murray Arnel, 06/02/2023

News

“Pain relief won’t cut it” in European markets, press club told

Australia’s special representative for agriculture has given the Queensland Rural Press Club a rare insight into the animal welfare mentality of some overseas markets, delivering a sobering message about one of the key issues…Read More

Eric Barker, 03/02/2023

News

Questions raised over MLA’s 28.8 million head herd size assessment

An estimate in MLA’s 2023 industry projections released last week suggesting the national beef herd will grow this year to 28.8 million head has raised some eyebrows around the beef industry…Read More

Jon Condon, 07/02/2023

Markets

Young cattle, feeder steer values likely to rise by mid-year, analysts say

A panel of six independent meat and livestock industry analysts have predicted that Australian young cattle and feeder steer values will rise about 6pc from current levels by mid-year…Read More

Jon Condon, 06/02/2023

Carbon

Opinion: why methane from cows is being unfairly treated

New South Wales producer George King argues that livestock-related methane emissions are being unfairly treated by governments and pushes for the industry to have input into the climate narrative…Read More

George King, 03/02/2023

News

Texas led steer “Snoop Dogg” sells for US$440,000

A 15-year-old girl from the Texas pan handle has been given a big boost for her future education prospects – selling her steer “Snoop Dogg” for a record US$440,000 or AU$635,000..Read More

Beef Central, 07/02/2023

Trade

Butchers from five states claim National Sausage Kings crowns

Country and city-based butchers from five states were successful in the 2023 National Sausage Kings Competition finals held in Adelaide by the Australian Meat Industry Council over the weekend…Read More

Beef Central, 06/02/2023

The Weekly Grill

S3 Ep1: Cattle market update, with Chris Howie & Matt Dalgleish

Today’s season-opening interview is a start-of-year assessment of the cattle and beef markets for 2023 with regular commentators, Stockco’s Chris Howie and Ep3’s Matt Dalgleish…Read More

Beef Central, 03/02/2023

Property

Re-listed and re-scheduled properties

Sefton re-lists premier Tamworth holding | Historic New England grazing heads to auction | $8.5m price tag of FNQ’s Morecambe Station | Wet weather postpones sale of Charleville’s Noella..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 08/02/2023

Industry Dashboard

Carbon Trading Market

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

Today

36.75

Source: Jarden

$A / $US

Updated 7am daily

Today

0.6920

Source: NAB

ASX Market Index

09 Feb 2023 (updated 10am daily)

Company	Price	Trending
Elders	$8.83
Australian Agricultural Co	$1.63
Graincorp	$7.36
Ridley	$1.93
Woolworths	$35.99
Wellard	$0.07

Source: ASX

Beef Kill

Eastern States, weekly

Last Week

108724

Source: MLA's NLRS

EYCI

Eastern Young Cattle Indicator, c/kg

Today

755

Source: MLA's NLRS

90CL Cow

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

Today

707.8

Source: Steiner Consulting, MLA

Live Export

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

Today

430

Source: Trade contacts

SOI

Southern Oscillation Index (SOI)

Today

9.95

Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology

Feeder Steer

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

Today

394

Source: Feeder Steer

What readers are saying

MLA herd estimate may be three million heavy, says analyst

Would be good for Beef Central to interview MLA and Simon together on this soon. Nice idea Greg - but unfortunately Simon is about to head overseas on a Churchill....

Greg Popplewell

Prime time for red meat at Parliamentary celebration

I hope the current Federal Government doesn't forget the taste of that beef and other protein when it comes around to issues like land clearing for agricultural purposes, hazard....

Peter Dunn

MLA herd estimate may be three million heavy, says analyst

Appreciate the content and detail of Quilty's perspective as clearly explained in the Jon Condon article of February 8th. This is a vitally important subject to the industry as....

Michael Betar

Vale Vaughan Johnson, former long-time Nationals MP dies at 75

Very sad to hear of Vaughan's passing. Shore sheep on his station just out of Quilpie in the late 70's . Had the pleasure of talking politics with....

Barry Hodnett

Six take-home messages from Japanese Wagyu export beef showcase

Jon Condon, 09/02/2023

Large goat processing numbers expected, as price drops

Large numbers of goats are expected to come out of Western Queensland and New South Wales this year, despite the price dropping to less than half in the space of six months…Read More

Eric Barker, 09/02/2023

The ethical arguments in favour of meat consumption

In a captivating and thought-provoking presentation to the Societal Role of Meat conference in Dublin, Dr Candace Croney, director of the centre for Animal Welfare Science at Purdue University in Washington DC, was asked to talk about ethical considerations surrounding meat consumption…Read More

James Nason, 08/02/2023

MLA herd estimate may be three million heavy, says analyst

Jon Condon, 08/02/2023

Markets

Dalby sale 8 Feb 2023: Numbers top national weekly yardings

Beef Central, 09/02/2023

Roma sale 7 Feb 2023: Heavy prime cattle rise 10-20c

Overall quality of yearling cattle was fairly mixed and while restockers were the main buyers of medium weight cattle, they operated selectively, and most categories of yearlings eased on previous weeks…Read More

James Nason, 08/02/2023

NVLX Wodonga 7 Feb 2023: Trade cattle in short supply

Prices were quality driven with some steer vealer sales improving by 12c, while the heifer portion softened 5c/kg…Read More

Leann Dax, 07/02/2023

Young cattle, feeder steer values likely to rise by mid-year, analysts say

A panel of six independent meat and livestock industry analysts have predicted that Australian young cattle and feeder steer values will rise about 6pc from current levels by mid-year…Read More

Jon Condon, 06/02/2023

Bottle teats have been found to be a major cause of calf loss in a recent study of a northern beef herd…Read More

Beef Central, 24/01/2023

Latest NT crossbreeding trial reinforces potential performance gains

The results of a study on the long term performance of females in the Senepol crossbreeding project undertaken by the NT Department of Industry Tourism and Trade (DITT) were recently published in the Animal Production Science journal…Read More

Beef Central, 15/12/2022

Hay shortage emerges after floods drown growing area

A shortage of high-quality hay has emerged across the country, with a combination of widespread flooding in prime growing areas and high grain prices attributed to the problem…Read More

Eric Barker, 05/12/2022

Processing

Weekly kill: Grids steady, as production volume starts to grow

Direct consignment slaughter cattle offers have changed little across the eastern states over the past seven days, as beef processors start to ramp-up their 2023 production…Read More

Beef Central, 07/02/2023

Oceania beef processors poised to capitalise on beef exports

SensorX Accuro makes meeting export regulations and consumer demands easy, with accurate fat-to-lean ratios, reliable contamination detection and product traceability. ..Read More

JBS re-opens Cobram plant, with $20m upgrade

JBS Australia’s Cobram abattoir will resume lamb processing operations next Monday, more than five years after the plant was closed due to supply challenges and market conditions…Read More

Beef Central, 01/02/2023

Weekly kill: Some grids ease further, as weather challenges continue

SOME southern Queensland export processors have lowered their grid offers another 10c/kg this week, continuing the declining trend seen since the 2023 season opened. Best offers seen from competitive processors..Read More

Beef Central, 31/01/2023

Lotfeeding

Feedgrain Focus: South softens, northern barley firms

The northern barley market has bucked the weaker trend evident in feedgrain values in the past week as the start of the summer-crop harvest nears…Read More

Liz Wells, 31/01/2023

New year feeder cattle prices show further sharp decline

Feeder cattle prices have come under considerable pressure during the opening stages of 2023, with both paddock trading and saleyards channels exhibiting sharp rates of decline…Read More

Jon Condon, 12/01/2023

Forecast wet summer presents potential heat stress issues

Heat stress management is on the minds of lotfeeders this summer, with forecast wet weather potentially causing some issues…Read More

Eric Barker, 15/12/2022

How much downgraded grain will end up in feedlots this year?

The winter grain harvest has once again been plagued by consistent wet weather and flooding, with high yields and plenty of downgrades reported across large areas. What will it mean for feedlots?..Read More

Eric Barker, 14/12/2022

Live Export

SE Asia Report: Indonesian beef market under further pressure I Lunar New Year celebrations

Dr Michael Patching, 09/02/2023

Slow going for cattle shipments in January

Australian cattle export volumes in January fell to the lowest monthly total totalled in more a decade, with just 24,347 shipped to all markets…Read More

Beef Central, 09/02/2023

Báo cáo về Thị Trường Đông Nam Á: Thị trường thịt bò In-đô-nê-si-a chịu thêm áp lực I Nghỉ Tết Nguyên đán

Michael Patching, 09/02/2023

Court issues further orders for sale of arrested livestock ship

The Federal Court of Australia has issued further orders for the sale of the livestock vessel “Yangtze Fortune”, which has been arrested at Portland in Victoria…Read More

James Nason, 19/01/2023

Trade

January beef exports off to slow start, at 51,471t

New-season Australian beef exports are off to a slow start, with just 51,471 tonnes of chilled and frozen beef shipped for January, Department of Agriculture records show…Read More

Jon Condon, 06/02/2023

Butchers from five states claim National Sausage Kings crowns

Beef Central, 06/02/2023

Watt reports positive progress on UK FTA

Federal agriculture Minister Murray Watt is reporting positive progress toward the final ratification of the Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement following his return from London last week…Read More

James Nason, 01/02/2023

Competitor watch: Brazil gains greater access to Indonesian beef market

Brazil will gain more access to the Indonesian beef market following an announcement this week that a further 11 Brazilian beef processing plants have been approved to commence exports. ..Read More

Beef Central, 20/01/2023

Genetics

Weekly genetics review: Managing the risks of double muscling in your herd

While it is possible to select for increased muscle scores, there has been an emerging trend over the past twenty-five years associated with double muscling in some beef breeds. While carrier animals may offer advantages, that advantage is best used with full knowledge of the animal and the limitations associated with future breeding decisions…Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 07/02/2023

Weekly genetics review: Know the difference between scan data and EBVs as selection tools

Using an episode from a recent carcase competition as an example, genetics editor Al Rayner steps through the differences between raw data, such as scans or weights, and EBVS as selections tools ..Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 31/01/2023

Weekly genetics review: Preparation key to successful Autumn 2023 bull purchases

The opportunity to purchase bulls from practically any state throughout most the year has potentially altered the way seedstock breeders consider the timing of their autumn and spring bull sales, genetics editor Al Rayner says in his first column for 2023 ahead of upcoming autumn sales ..Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 24/01/2023

Have we listed your Autumn 2023 bull sale details?

Beef Central has completed research for its 2023 autumn bull sales calendar, featuring sales fixtures nationwide across all major beef breeds being held between now and the end of June. Here’s how to make sure your sale is included..Read More

Beef Central, 24/01/2023

Ag Tech

Parts manufacturers say agriculture needs legal right to repair

The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) has reaffirmed its support of the agricultural industry’s right to repair fight after a major John Deere announcement earlier this month…Read More

Beef Central, 25/01/2023

Telstra invests a further $2 million in agtech company, Farmbot

Remote monitoring agtech services provider Farmbot has received a second major injection of funds totalling $2 million from telecommunications company Telstra…Read More

Beef Central, 08/12/2022

Talking tech at Toowoomba’s MLA updates

Technology was front and centre for crowds gathering at the MLA updates forum in Toowoomba this week, with drones, satellite maps and cutting-edge genetics all featuring in displays and presentations. What did the attendees think of it?..Read More

Eric Barker, 02/12/2022

World-first free satellite pasture imagery launched for Australian red meat producers

Every cattle producer in Australia now has free access to satellite maps showing weekly changes in groundcover and pasture biomass on their properties – provided they are registered members of Meat & Livestock Australia…Read More

Beef Central, 01/12/2022

AgProperty Central

Weekly property review: Properties for sale

Property editor Linda Rowley, 08/02/2023

Re-listed and re-scheduled properties

Property editor Linda Rowley, 08/02/2023

Shifting debt dynamics influencing property investment trends

The dominant trend of family farm businesses outbidding institutional buyers seen over the past two years has cooled as a result of shifting debt dynamics according to LAWD senior directors and property specialists Danny Thomas and Col Medway…Read More

Beef Central, 08/02/2023