Home - Beef Central

Using F1 bulls – Some issues to consider

Some seedstock breeders have traditionally offered a few F1 bulls carrying complementary breed genetics for producers seeking a bull for crossbreeding programs. The question commercial beef producers need to consider is what an F1 bull can contribute to achieve the best possible production outcome in their herd…Read More

Guest Author, 16/08/2022

Genetics

Weekly genetics review: Accelerating genetic gain – the role of Genomic Breeding Values

Genomic testing and the development of Genomic Breeding Values hold great promise to identify traits in animals that contribute to fertility and herd productivity, especially in challenging, more extensive northern breeding herds…Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 16/08/2022

Genetics

Beef seedstock registration boom continues

Both registrations of bulls and females, the number of beef producers breeding registered cattle surged again during 2021, reflecting the boom-times in seedstock and broader cattle industry…Read More

Beef Central, 16/08/2022

News

No evidence to support China meat ban rumours, as trade rapidly returns to normal

Wild rumours circulating around the red meat industry since Sunday that China may have suspended meat imports from Australia appear to be exactly that – rumours. Industry stakeholders have been on high alert since the suggestions first started to emerge, but nothing to this point suggests they have any foundation. In fact deposits on meat business with China were being taken by exporters this morning at rates higher than those seen on Friday…Read More

Jon Condon, 16/08/2022

Processing

Weekly kill: Erratic grid price movements continue

Competitive pressure from a posse of southern Australian beef processors operating further north has seen some Queensland slaughter grids rise again this week, continuing an erratic period for direct consignment pricing. Some Queensland grids rose another 20c/kg this week, as a result ..Read More

Jon Condon, 16/08/2022

News

Qld Rural Press Club: Leading Australian cattlemen to speak on what’s happening in Indonesia

Since first being detected in Indonesia in May this year, the threat of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) entering Australia has not only created headlines and lively debate, but also instigated a concerted government and industry effort to guard against introduction of the disease to home shores…Read More

Beef Central, 16/08/2022

News

Should more levy funding be directed to ag education?

Education has been high on the agenda in recent weeks, with Queensland ag colleges going up for sale again and a beef industry leader calling to give young children better access to agriculture. Should more levies be directed to it?..Read More

Eric Barker, 16/08/2022

News

Applications open for agricultural Science & Innovation Awards

Applications are now open for the 2023 Science and Innovation Awards, to fund innovative projects in Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors, and support the next generation of researchers…Read More

Beef Central, 16/08/2022

Solar pumping means water can be sustainable, as well as life-sustaining, on organic Barfield Station + VIDEO

Wagga sale 15 Aug 2022: Limited supplies vs stronger demand

Leann Dax, 16/08/2022

News

Research institute recruiting northern agriculture experts

Beef Central, 16/08/2022

News

Time to be open if FMD resourcing not adequate, and the case for a ‘regional approach’

James Nason, 15/08/2022

News

Meat processors poaching competitors’ staff with financial inducements

Jon Condon, 15/08/2022

News

Cattleman gets married and wins bareback title – all in a day’s work at the Isa Rodeo

Beef Central, 15/08/2022

News

A cattle producer’s take on airport biosecurity

New England cattle producer Stuart Austin says an opportunity to experience Sydney International Airport’s customs, immigration and biosecurity processes first hand has provided a level of comfort and demonstrated an absolute dedication of front line staff…Read More

Stuart Austin, Wilmott Cattle Co, 12/08/2022

Lotfeeding

JBS’s new grainfed beef brand explores natural, sustainable category

A new beef brand launched by JBS Southern this week is pushing into previously unexplored territory – a Certified Natural and sustainable claim wrapped around grainfed beef…Read More

Beef Central, 11/08/2022

News

Meat processors poaching competitors’ staff with financial inducements

In further signs of the desperate state labour resourcing has reached in the processing industry, credible reports have emerged over the past week of red meat processors offering significant financial inducements for meatworker staff employed elsewhere to leave their current place of work.

Jon Condon, 15/08/2022

News

Cattleman gets married and wins bareback title – all in a day’s work at the Isa Rodeo

A cattleman from Northern NSW has stolen the show at the Mount Isa Rodeo, having his wedding ceremony and winning the bareback title the same day…Read More

Beef Central, 15/08/2022

Processing

JBS delivers stronger second quarter financial result

DESPITE the impact of severe labour shortages, freight prices and ongoing energy and other inflationary pressures along the value chain, JBS Australia recorded improved financial results in the second..Read More

Beef Central, 12/08/2022

Processing

JBS manager says customers are spending less on beef

The manager of JBS’s Australian feeder cattle supply says inflationary pressures and increasing interest rates are starting to have an impact on domestic and global demand for beef…Read More

Eric Barker, 11/08/2022

Opinion

Animal activists forbidden from using illegally obtained video footage for campaigns

The High Court of Australia has provided some overdue guidance in relation to whether animal rights activists are entitled to use hidden cameras to expose alleged cruelty on farms and other facilities in NSW…Read More

Trent Thorne, Hamilton Locke, 12/08/2022

News

No evidence to support China meat ban rumours, as trade rapidly returns to normal

Jon Condon, 16/08/2022

News

Time to be open if FMD resourcing not adequate, and the case for a ‘regional approach’

The mainstream media stampede might have moved on, which has calmed the issue somewhat, but at the same time, the presence of foot-and-mouth disease in Indonesia has not magically disappeared…Read More

James Nason, 15/08/2022

Live Export

Little July joy for cattle exporters

Easing Australian cattle prices contributed to an increase in export activity to Vietnam in July, while exports to Indonesia slumped further amid the ongoing foot-and-mouth disease outbreak affecting the country…Read More

James Nason, 12/08/2022

Industry Dashboard

Carbon Trading Market

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

Today

27.37

Source: Jarden

$A / $US

Updated 7am daily

Today

0.7010

Source: NAB

ASX Market Index

17 Aug 2022 (updated 10am daily)

Company	Price	Trending
Elders	$11.64
Australian Agricultural Co	$1.92
Graincorp	$8.16
Ridley	$1.76
Woolworths	$38.61
Wellard	$0.07

Source: ASX

Beef Kill

Eastern States, weekly

Last Week

100735

Source: MLA's NLRS

EYCI

Eastern Young Cattle Indicator, c/kg

Today

977

Source: MLA's NLRS

90CL Cow

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

Today

858.3

Source: Steiner Consulting, MLA

Live Export

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

Today

450

Source: Trade contacts

SOI

Southern Oscillation Index (SOI)

Today

7.83

Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology

Feeder Steer

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

Today

588

Source: Feeder Steer

What readers are saying

Carbon forum: Legislated climate targets bring renewed opportunity to land sector

A great article on the Ag and carbon piece, thanks.....

Peter Honnef

Using F1 bulls – Some issues to consider

Witht the production of F1 or F2 bulls the most important factor is the genetic complimentarity the two breeds share. If this is acheived to its full potential....

Mike Introvigne

Solar pumping means water can be sustainable, as well as life-sustaining, on organic Barfield Station + VIDEO

As always Rob and Melinee....leading Industry by example....take a bow!....

Bim Struss

Weekly genetics review: How is the Southern Multi-Breed EBV project developing?

Thankyou Alastair, long overdue - I am a willing contributor / participant in this project and there has been scant comms on progress (or anything really) these past 3....

Pete Cabassi

No evidence to support China meat ban rumours, as trade rapidly returns to normal

Jon Condon, 16/08/2022

Qld Rural Press Club: Leading Australian cattlemen to speak on what’s happening in Indonesia

Beef Central, 16/08/2022

Should more levy funding be directed to ag education?

Eric Barker, 16/08/2022

Applications open for agricultural Science & Innovation Awards

Beef Central, 16/08/2022

Markets

Wagga sale 15 Aug 2022: Limited supplies vs stronger demand

The cattle sale in general did build momentum with Angus yearlings and some European stock attracting stronger competition…Read More

Leann Dax, 16/08/2022

AuctionsPlus offerings collapse to only 5153 head

Excluding the historically low first January sales seen each year, this week’s AuctionsPlus cattle offering of just 5153 head was the lowest seen in at least two and a half years. The same trend is apparent in sheep and lamb online sales this week, where offerings fell to 19-month lows…Read More

Beef Central, 13/08/2022

Dalby sale 10 Aug 2022: Vic export processors return

Light weight yearling steers and heifers returning to the paddock averaged over 60c/kg better. Yearling steers to feed for the domestic market averaged 40c/kg dearer. Heavy weight yearling steers to feed experienced very little change in price…Read More

Beef Central, 11/08/2022

AuctionsPlus notches record cattle value and turnover for 2021-22

Record livestock throughput cemented AuctionsPlus as Australia’s largest digital agricultural marketplace during the 2021-22 financial year…Read More

Beef Central, 10/08/2022

$7m climate fund injection into livestock methane supplement

West Australian climate technology company Rumin8 has announced it has received $7 million in investment backing from domestic and international climate impact funds. ..Read More

Beef Central, 18/07/2022

Dalby’s Soya Feeds changes hands for first time

After 35 years, Darling Downs soybean industry pioneers, Greg and Margaret Bailey, have sold their Dalby-based manufacturing facility Soya Feeds to Queensland animal nutrition business, Smarter Nutrition…Read More

Emma Alsop, 15/07/2022

Processing

Weekly kill: Erratic grid price movements continue

Jon Condon, 16/08/2022

JBS delivers stronger second quarter financial result

Beef Central, 12/08/2022

JBS manager says customers are spending less on beef

The manager of JBS’s Australian feeder cattle supply says inflationary pressures and increasing interest rates are starting to have an impact on domestic and global demand for beef…Read More

Eric Barker, 11/08/2022

Weekly kill: Meat trade spiralling towards crisis territory

A BLEAK picture is emerging in the export and domestic meat sales space this month, which will almost inevitably impact slaughter cattle pricing, going forward…Read More

Beef Central, 09/08/2022

Lotfeeding

Feedgrain Focus: South firms as rain limits trade

Prices firmed in the south to reflect tightening stocks, while the northern market was mostly flat as trade picks up in new crop…Read More

Liz Wells, 15/08/2022

JBS’s new grainfed beef brand explores natural, sustainable category

A new beef brand launched by JBS Southern this week is pushing into previously unexplored territory – a Certified Natural and sustainable claim wrapped around grainfed beef…Read More

Beef Central, 11/08/2022

Feedgrain Focus: Markets flat as southern front heads east

Prices for feed wheat, barley and sorghum have been largely steady in the past week as consumers chip away on buying amid thin grower selling…Read More

Liz Wells, 08/08/2022

Feedgrain Focus: Markets flat as southern front heads east

MINIMAL grower selling combined with consumer hopes for softer values have kept traded volume to a minimum in the domestic market this week. In southern Queensland, fine weather has allowed..Read More

James Nason, 05/08/2022

Live Export

Little July joy for cattle exporters

James Nason, 12/08/2022

FMD and LSD: Lots of talk but no meaningful action

Australia needs to do more to protect itself from the FMD wildfire. I don’t doubt that our government is trying but I also expect that the Indonesian government simply doesn’t have the same level of urgency…Read More

Dr Ross Ainsworth and Greg Pankhurst, 21/07/2022

June live export figures released

Australian cattle shipments fell to 43,474 head in June, a 53 percent decline on the five-year-average for the month, according to shipping data released earlier today…Read More

Beef Central, 15/07/2022

SE Asia Report: FMD spreading rapidly throughout Indonesia

Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) continues to spread like wildfire throughout the Indonesian island chain, Dr Ross Ainsworth writes in this month’s South East Asia report…Read More

Dr Ross Ainsworth, 08/07/2022

Trade

How chefs are driving meat marketing and consumer trends

WHETHER it is Gordon Ramsay overhauling a modest English café with a foul-mothed tirade or Matt Preston wearing his cravat and using an impressive vocabulary to describe a mouthful of food – the celebrity chef has no doubt become a part of modern culture. A food industry entrepreneur says the rise of chefs has made them a key part of meat marketing in Australia..Read More

Eric Barker, 12/08/2022

Australia’s July beef exports continue year-long struggle

Australian beef exports for the month of July have continued to languish – as they have all year – under the burden of low rates of slaughter, logistics challenges and other factors. Volumes shipped to all markets last month reached just 74,949t, down 6pc on the previous month…Read More

Beef Central, 03/08/2022

McDonald’s ends its US experiment with plant-based burger option

Global burger giant McDonald’s has pulled its experiment with plant-based burger patties in 600 of its US stores…Read More

Beef Central, 30/07/2022

MSA research into ‘Wagyu effect’ and dairy beef cattle progresses

IS there a special ‘Wagyu effect’ that contributes to Wagyu beef’s eating qualities, over and above the standard industry criteria like marbling, ossification and fat cover under the Meat Standards Australia eating quality model? This is one of a number of fields of MSA research now making progress across the country…Read More

Beef Central, 25/07/2022

Genetics

Using F1 bulls – Some issues to consider

Guest Author, 16/08/2022

Weekly genetics review: Accelerating genetic gain – the role of Genomic Breeding Values

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 16/08/2022

Beef seedstock registration boom continues

Beef Central, 16/08/2022

Weekly genetics review: How is the Southern Multi-Breed EBV project developing?

One of the ongoing challenges for producers seeking to make informed breeding decisions across multiple breeds is the limitation of Breedplan EBVs to within-breed comparison. This limitation has often been cited for delaying decisions to implement crossbreeding programs or to make comparisons about sires that may suit a breeding objective more effectively…Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 09/08/2022

Ag Tech

Paddock grain testing company working on soil carbon tool

An agtech company, which is building a name for its paddock grain testing tool, is developing similar devices for leaf and soil carbon levels…Read More

Eric Barker, 05/07/2022

How the agtech sector is navigating connectivity issues

As the livestock industry becomes more reliant on technology to automate tasks and improve production systems, connectivity is still proving to be an issue for the growing agtech industry…Read More

Eric Barker, 27/06/2022

Agtech can help with labour shortage, conference hears + PICS

For the past five years, agtech companies have been popping up across the country, pitching new and improved ways to solve problems on farm…Read More

Eric Barker, 23/06/2022

Hopes for farm-wide wi-fi within 18 months

A university research collaboration with Australian agtech start-up Zetifi is aiming to deliver farm-wide wi-fi using tractors, trucks and passenger vehicles as roaming access points within 18 months…Read More

Beef Central, 17/01/2022

AgProperty Central

Weekly property review: Finance approvals process comes under fire

THE process of gaining finance approvals when buying a rural property has come under fire from some rural sales specialists who claim documentation delays are costing those involved both time and money. Some blame the banks, while others the unrealistic timeframe set by agents. One thing is for sure, those seeking to buy or sell need to be ‘presentation ready’…Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 10/08/2022

Weekly property review: Recently completed sales

McClymonts secure FNQ’s Crystalbrook Station | Victorian Western District grazing makes $22.5m | Graziers pay $5.5m for diversity at Roma | NSW Western Division holding exceeds expectations | Condamine block makes close to $5000/ha..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 03/08/2022

Movement at the Station – Recent property listings

Productive cattle and conservation in southern QLD | CQ breeding country offered after five generations | Unprecedented inquiry for NQ’s Peronne Station | Low-cost breeding in scenic southeast QLD | Well-grassed Biloela grazing block | Rain delayed Maranoa properties return to the market | Historic SA sheep station offered for sale..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 03/08/2022

QLD’s Pickersgill family adds NT’s Neutral Junction to its portfolio

Queensland’s Pickersgill family has paid around $30 million for Neutral Junction Station – a large-scale turn-key beef breeding and farming opportunity in Central Australia. The price tag comes with 7000 head of Droughtmaster cross, Ultrablack and Santa cattle…Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 03/08/2022

AgCarbon Central

Carbon forum: Legislated climate targets bring renewed opportunity to land sector

Carbon Market Institute CEO John Connor says the government’s climate target represents a big opportunity for agriculture…Read More

John Connor, CEO, Carbon Market Institute (CMI), 11/08/2022

Carbon markets: clear premiums showing for certain projects

A growing divergence of pricing is emerging in Australia’s carbon market, with nature-based and savanna burning projects demanding a clear premium over the rest…Read More

Eric Barker, 10/08/2022

Five considerations before signing renewable energy contracts

With landowners told to expect more approaches from renewable energy companies, Beef Central has been looking into some of the contract considerations…Read More

Eric Barker, 09/08/2022

Carbon hot topic during Brisbane’s Ekka gatherings

The continuing evolution of the carbon market in the beef industry and the challenges it faces were popular topics for discussion during events held as part of Brisbane’s Ekka last week. While uncertainty over regulation and assessment processes was raised by several stakeholders, more than a billion dollars worth of carbon-led property investment projects were currently in the wings in northern Australia, one speaker said…Read More

Jon Condon, 08/08/2022