Sunday 25 October 2020
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News

Alternatives being sought for ‘1990s era’ NLIS technology, Senate Estimates told

Early background research is being conducted into possible alternatives to ‘1990s era’ animal traceability technology currently in use across the red meat industry, MLA managing director Jason Strong told a Senate Estimates hearing in Canberra yesterday. Mr Strong was quizzed at length over diverse topics including industry investment in seeking alternate markets in the wake of trade tensions with China this year, and the extent of R&D investment in sustainability. ..Read More

Jon Condon, October 23, 2020

Markets

Budgeting beef prices difficult in current market

A challenge in periods of fluctuating prices is determining what prices to use in forward budgeting. Ian McLean explains why historical analyses of prices can be very useful in the budgeting process through using decile tables…Read More

Ian McLean, Bush Agribusiness, October 23, 2020

Markets

It’s official: EYCI sweeps into the 800’s

Predictions made over the past 12 months that young cattle prices might reach 800c/kg during the livestock supply void left after two years of drought might have been scoffed at earlier, but they came into reality this week, as the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator swept into record territory overnight…Read More

Jon Condon, October 23, 2020

Live Export

NZ Govt introduces new requirements for livestock exports

New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has introduced new requirements for the safe transport of livestock by sea, following an independent review launched after the tragic loss of Gulf Livestock 1 in early September…Read More

Beef Central, October 23, 2020

News

Screen Australia bias against Aussie beef industry slammed during Senate Estimates

Screen Australia has been condemned by Nationals Senate Leader Bridget McKenzie for funding $625,000 of taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars to “bring down the Australian beef industry.”  Fight for Planet A: Our Climate Challenge is listed as a documentary on both Screen Australia and the ABC’s websites, even though it was factually incorrect and imbalanced in its reporting, she suggested during Senate Estimates yesterday…Read More

Beef Central, October 23, 2020

News

MLA’s Annual General Meeting goes online

MLA members are being reminded to complete and submit their voting entitlement and proxy forms ahead of the industry service delivery company’s upcoming Annual General Meeting on 19 November. This year, the decision has been made to hold the AGM online, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions on gatherings and travel, as well as social distancing requirements…Read More

Beef Central, October 23, 2020

Recruitment

Recruitment: Five employability skills & how to demonstrate that you have them

To truly compete in today’s ag sector job market, candidates need more than a diploma or work history in the field. Employers are increasingly looking for the total package: candidates who have the education and training needed to understand the job, the experience to carry out the technical duties, and the employability skills to be successful. What are employability skills?..Read More

Beef Central, October 23, 2020

Lotfeeding

Record high feeder prices keeps grainfed trading budget deeply in negative territory
Jon Condon, October 22, 2020

Markets

New record as EYCI climbs within whisker of 800c/kg
Beef Central, October 22, 2020

News

Ag Dept pressed on ASEL 3.0 implementation readiness
2
James Nason, October 22, 2020

Markets

Dalby sale 21 Oct 2020: New high levels recorded
Beef Central, October 22, 2020

Property

Weekly property review: Recently completed sales
Property editor Linda Rowley, October 21, 2020

Property

Movement at the Station: Recent property listings
Property editor Linda Rowley, October 21, 2020

Industry Dashboard

$A / $US Graph

Updated 7am daily
Today
0.7120
Source: NAB

ASX Market Index

25 Oct 2020 (updated 10am daily)
Company Price Trending
Elders $11.95
Australian Agricultural Co $1.08
Graincorp $3.84
Ridley $0.79
Woolworths $38.62
Wellard $0.06
Source: ASX

Beef Kill

Eastern States, weekly

Last Week

108783
Source: MLA's NLRS

EYCI

Eastern Young Cattle Indicator, c/kg

Today

801
Source: MLA's NLRS

90CL Cow

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

Today

621.9
Source: Steiner Consulting, MLA

Live Export

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

Today

360
Source: Trade contacts

SOI Graph

Southern Oscillation Index (SOI)

Today

9.99
Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology

Feeder Steer Graph

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

Today

374.2
Source: MLA's NLRS

What readers are saying

‘Outback Ringer’ premieres tonight

This show might be good for television ratings but its a negative for the beef industry. The industry has spent years promoting practices around high cattle welfare, low....

Patrick Francis
More
Twiggy applauded for RM Williams ‘buy back’

That is wonderful news! Australians can manufacture anything that other countries can. Investing in Australian made in Australia by Australian companies will take time however Australians have what it....

Christine Zacharda
More
Stop the denigration – time for a truthful conversation, says MLA MD Jason Strong

Well said Jason...

Peter Vincent
More
Weekly property review: The vexed issue of carrying capacity claims

What a wonderful article ! The implied Sustainable Carrying-Capacity, and/or Sustainable Stocking Rate is a VERY important number driving a Pastoral Grazing Enterprise Valuation (Bare or WIWO) expectations. Thank....

Michael Vail
More

News

Alternatives being sought for ‘1990s era’ NLIS technology, Senate Estimates told

Early background research is being conducted into possible alternatives to ‘1990s era’ animal traceability technology currently in use across the red meat industry, MLA managing director Jason Strong told a Senate Estimates hearing in Canberra yesterday. Mr Strong was quizzed at length over diverse topics including industry investment in seeking alternate markets in the wake of trade tensions with China this year, and the extent of R&D investment in sustainability. ..Read More

Jon Condon, October 23, 2020

Screen Australia bias against Aussie beef industry slammed during Senate Estimates

Screen Australia has been condemned by Nationals Senate Leader Bridget McKenzie for funding $625,000 of taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars to “bring down the Australian beef industry.”  Fight for Planet A: Our Climate Challenge is listed as a documentary on both Screen Australia and the ABC’s websites, even though it was factually incorrect and imbalanced in its reporting, she suggested during Senate Estimates yesterday…Read More

Beef Central, October 23, 2020

MLA’s Annual General Meeting goes online

MLA members are being reminded to complete and submit their voting entitlement and proxy forms ahead of the industry service delivery company’s upcoming Annual General Meeting on 19 November. This year, the decision has been made to hold the AGM online, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions on gatherings and travel, as well as social distancing requirements…Read More

Beef Central, October 23, 2020

Recruitment: Five employability skills & how to demonstrate that you have them

To truly compete in today’s ag sector job market, candidates need more than a diploma or work history in the field. Employers are increasingly looking for the total package: candidates who have the education and training needed to understand the job, the experience to carry out the technical duties, and the employability skills to be successful. What are employability skills?..Read More

Beef Central, October 23, 2020

Markets

Budgeting beef prices difficult in current market

A challenge in periods of fluctuating prices is determining what prices to use in forward budgeting. Ian McLean explains why historical analyses of prices can be very useful in the budgeting process through using decile tables…Read More

Ian McLean, Bush Agribusiness, October 23, 2020

It’s official: EYCI sweeps into the 800’s

Predictions made over the past 12 months that young cattle prices might reach 800c/kg during the livestock supply void left after two years of drought might have been scoffed at earlier, but they came into reality this week, as the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator swept into record territory overnight…Read More

Jon Condon, October 23, 2020

New record as EYCI climbs within whisker of 800c/kg

The Eastern Young Cattle Indicator reached a new record this afternoon of 799.25¢/kg carcase weight (cwt), as markets continue to be dominated by a tight supply pool of available young cattle and heightened restocker competition…Read More

Beef Central, October 22, 2020

Dalby sale 21 Oct 2020: New high levels recorded

A large number of light weight yearling heifers were penned, and buyers were able to absorb the large supply plus lift average prices a further 16c to 28c/kg…Read More

Beef Central, October 22, 2020

Production

‘Outback Ringer’ premieres tonight

The unique skills of bull catchers will be documented through a new ABC television series that premieres tonight, telling the stories of four groups of ‘outback ringers’ at various locations in the Top End…Read More

Beef Central, October 20, 2020

Study demonstrates 80pc reduction in methane emissions from cattle

A new study has further reinforced the potential of red seaweed supplements as a method of significantly reducing enteric methane emissions from cattle…Read More

Beef Central, October 8, 2020

Pasture Dieback Hub gives producers the latest information

Producers will now be able to easily access the latest news, information, resources and tools relating to pasture dieback in one place with the launch of a Pasture Dieback Hub on Meat & Livestock Australia’s (MLA) website…Read More

Beef Central, October 5, 2020

Bloat treatment warning for cattle targeted at ‘Natural’ brand programs

A high incidence of bloat reported during this spring’s pasture flush across southeastern Australia has created challenges for producers targeting premium certified grassfed ‘natural’ brand programs. ..Read More

Fiona Myers, September 30, 2020

Processing

Weekly kill: Cow prices crack historic 600c

For the first time in history, heavy cow prices in some Queensland processor grid offers have hit 600c in recent days, valuing a typical 320kg cull female at $1980, before grid penalties. The direct consignment slaughter market has been in a fluid state for the past week, with some grids correcting twice in the past seven days, typically up 10-15c/kg…Read More

Jon Condon, October 20, 2020

Weekly kill: Some grids rise 10-30c, north and south

There was plenty of upwards movement in direct consignment processor grid offers across eastern Australia over the past week, with increases of as much as 30c/kg in some examples. The changes are entirely supply-driven, however, with big losses still being racked up by processors…Read More

Jon Condon, October 13, 2020

Weekly kill: Some grids lift again as supply tightness continues

There were further rises seen in some Queensland direct consignment slaughter grid offers this week, as extreme tightness in supply continues to dominate the slaughter cattle market dynamic…Read More

Beef Central, October 6, 2020

Weekly kill: northern grids surge 15-25c on tight supply

After a six-week phase where direct consignment grid offers have trended downwards, a number of Queensland exporters have raised their offers significantly over the past few days, in response to acute slaughter cattle supply shortage. Best offers seen from competitors this week were up anywhere from 15-25c/kg, depending on the category…Read More

Jon Condon, September 29, 2020

Lotfeeding

Record high feeder prices keeps grainfed trading budget deeply in negative territory

Big losses have again been forecast in Beef Central’s latest 100-day grainfed trading budget calculated this morning. Record high feeder steer values have overwhelmed a softening ration price, and a lift in finished grainfed cattle forward contract prices to deliver a $164 loss – the same figure as our previous budget a month ago…Read More

Jon Condon, October 22, 2020

Search begins for 2021 Feedlots of the Year

The Australian Lot Feeders Association has launched its new-look 2021 Feedlot of the Year Competition and is calling for all eligible yards to enter the next competition, which draws to a close at ALFA’s BeefEx Conference in Brisbane next October…Read More

Beef Central, October 20, 2020

Feedgrain Focus: Wheat strengthens on limited grower selling

Wheat prices have strengthened in the past week as harvesting growers focus on selling barley for cash and holding their high-quality and high-protein wheat in a rising market…Read More

Liz Wells, October 16, 2020

Feedgrain Focus: North drops, southern wheat firms

Nearby values for northern wheat and barley have succumbed to harvest pressure, and nearby cottonseed prices have weakened with them, but southern markets are firming based on rising world values for wheat…Read More

Liz and Henry Wells, October 12, 2020

Live Export

NZ Govt introduces new requirements for livestock exports

New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has introduced new requirements for the safe transport of livestock by sea, following an independent review launched after the tragic loss of Gulf Livestock 1 in early September…Read More

Beef Central, October 23, 2020

Massive consignment yarded near Townsville as live export prices re-test record levels

Northern live export cattle prices are re-testing record levels with good lines of flood plain steers commanding around $3.85/kg ex-Darwin, as the Reid River export yards near Townsville handles 13,500 cattle in a single consignment for Vietnam. ..Read More

James Nason, October 21, 2020

Ship outbreaks reinforce need for national approach to crew safety

The Western Australia Department of Health has re-located 25 crew members from the MV AL Messilah livestock carrier into quarantine isolation at Fremantle today, after yesterday returning positive tests to COVID-19…Read More

Beef Central, October 20, 2020

Cattle shipments maintain even pace in September

Australian cattle export volumes in September almost identically mirrored the previous month’s activity with 77,685 head shipped last month…Read More

James Nason, October 16, 2020

Trade

Website takes the mystery out of Halal meat purchasing

A recently-launched consumer website designed to verify whether or not a sample of red meat has been processed under Halal conditions is already generating more than ten thousand hits each week. Targeted at both domestic Australian Muslim citizens as well as visiting holiday makers from Muslim countries, the new website is removing a lot of uncertainty around meat purchases for people of Islamic faith…Read More

Jon Condon, October 20, 2020

New measures aimed at modernising meat export regulatory system

Government and industry action to modernise the Australian export meat inspection and regulatory system is underway following the $328 million ‘Busting Congestion for Agricultural Exporters’ measure announced in the 2020/21 Federal Budget. ..Read More

Beef Central, October 19, 2020

International Beef Alliance challenges border testing for COVID

Seven major beef producing and exporting countries which met online this week for annual talks have expressed deep concern at the imposition of border testing for COVID-19 that is not based on international Codex standards…Read More

Beef Central, October 15, 2020

Positive perceptions of red meat growing among consumers

Perceptions of the red meat industry are improving, as is knowledge of the industry among consumers in metropolitan Australia, according to Meat & Livestock Australia’s (MLA) latest consumer sentiment research…Read More

Beef Central, October 15, 2020

Genetics

Weekly genetics review: 2020 trends in accessing proven maternal females

While all the headline-grabbing attention has focused on bull sales this year, there have also been some outstanding registered female sales results. Genetics editor Alastair Rainer talks to some successful stud masters about what drove their 2020 female sale success, and what was motivating buyers…Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, October 20, 2020

An evolutionary jolt helped cattle to spread across Africa. Now genetics must make them more productive

Studying the history hidden in indigenous African cattle genomes may help guide efforts to breed for productivity without losing the breeds’ native resilience and sustainability, writes ILRI’s Olivier Hanotte…Read More

Olivier Hanotte, International Livestock Research Institute, October 20, 2020

Weekly genetics review: What are the key differences in genetic information available in 2020?

This week’s genetics review offers some thoughts on the two sources of genetic information in play in the industry this year. For many BreedPlan data remains the key source of information and with genomic information now included, accuracy is increasing for breeds such as Angus, Hereford, Brahman and Wagyu. BreedPlan is well recognised and used, however the move by Shorthorn beef and others to IGS has made some people wonder what the difference is…Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, October 13, 2020

Genetics: Why assessment for % normal sperm in bull semen is so important in fertility performance

Drs Mike McGowan and Peter McAuliffe explain why assessment for % normal sperm in bull semen is so important. In natural mating studies conducted in the US and Australia, % normal sperm in the semen of beef bulls has been consistently shown to be positively associated with either pregnancy rate or calf output…Read More

Michael McGowan* and Peter McAuliffe**, October 13, 2020

Ag Tech

Robotic feedlot bunk scanner set to be demonstrated

Lotfeeders will soon be able to see the BunkBot feedbunk scanning robot at work in a commercial setting, with monthly demonstrations planned at Mort & Co’s Pinegrove Feedlot near Millmerran in southern Queensland from November. In earlier trials, the Bunk Scanner proved to be more precise and accurate than human bunk callers in measuring the volume of feed on hand…Read More

Beef Central, September 21, 2020

NBN report highlights agtech growth potential

NBN Co has initiated an agriculture development strategy which aims to address connectivity needs of farmers and supporter greater efficiency of agricultural productivity…Read More

Beef Central, September 1, 2020

AXIchain launches livestock movement app for transporters

With a focus on digital lifetime traceability, animal welfare, and biosecurity enhancements, AXIchain has launched the mNVD app for use in the livestock transport industry…Read More

Beef Central, August 10, 2020

Post-pandemic swing to robotic, automated food production predicted

Food producers will now be moving to advance robotic and automated technologies much faster to prepare for the next pandemic, University of Queensland Professor Robert Henry says…Read More

Beef Central, July 31, 2020

Property

Weekly property review: Recently completed sales

Theodore’s Acacia makes $6.8m plus | Drillham’s Mundibulanga sells for $8m | A district record for Maranoa’s Tomoo | Expansion for south west QLD family | Well-watered Yambutta sells to local family | New England block changes hands after 131 years | Quality buffel country at Mitchell makes $2.8m | Locals expand with Central QLD backgrounding country | ..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, October 21, 2020

Movement at the Station: Recent property listings

Outstanding Upper Hunter breeding and fattening country | SA’s Calgara Station expected to achieve up to $22m | Renewed interest in Victorian Wagyu operation | New England production powerhouse to be auctioned | 85 years ownership comes to end in southern QLD | Adjoining blocks to test the Ebor market | Northern Tableland blocks spark interstate interest | Direct Fitzroy River access..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, October 21, 2020

Property: NSW south west slopes in high demand

Assisted by a recovery from the prolonged drought, the south west slopes of NSW has become one of the hottest rural real estate markets in the state, according to Yass based LAWD senior director, Col Medway…Read More

Beef Central, October 21, 2020

Weekly property review: The vexed issue of carrying capacity claims

Carrying capacity is inevitably used as a contributor to property valuations, and determining a property’s true worth prior to making an offer. While at face value this seems simple enough, the Australian livestock industry has a number of standardised measures used to assess animal numbers…Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, October 14, 2020

Sheep Central

Corowa first cross ewe buyers bid to $418 for big lines

BIDDERS at Corowa’s First Cross Breeders Ewe Sale yesterday had to think quickly on their feet when the first 1400 head of the 8000 head offering were cleared with two..Read More

Rising wool market to face a big bale offering test

AUSTRALIAN wool prices surged this week, but are expected to be challenged next week, with the largest bale offering since early August this year rostered for sales nationally...Read More

AWI marketing campaign sets the Merino Sisters loose in China

  AUSTRALIAN Wool Innovation’s only current global marketing campaign has launched the Merino Sisters brand into the world’s most lucrative fashion market China. With demand for Australian wool in China…..Read More

Sheep Genetics releases list of changes and timelines

AUSTRALIA’S Sheep Genetics platform has released a long list of recent and planned updates to its search site following widespread criticism...Read More

Grain Central

Forecast rains set to stall Qld winter harvest, lift summer crop prospects

Harvesters have been going flat out across southern Queensland this week as growers try to take off as much of this year's winter crop as they can before forecast heavy..Read More

Australia on track for above-average winter crop: Rabobank

Australia is on track for a major recovery in grain production, with the winter harvest set to come in at an above-average 47.4 million tonnes, according to Rabobank's later crop..Read More

Authorities work behind the scenes to mitigate China trade stoush

While Chinese Government ministers are still refusing to take calls from their Australian counterparts, department-to-department-level communication is continuing as normal, according to Australian ag trade officials...Read More

Recruitment: Future looks bright for women in agriculture

Women look set to take on a bigger role in the agricultural sector, with more women than men now studying agriculture and environment-related courses...Read More

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