Home - Beef Central

Cows & calves, PTICs dearer on AuctionsPlus

Cows & calves and PTIC females showed sharp rises in value on AuctionsPlus this week, where numbers offered declined by about 2500 head to 17,187 head listed…Read More

Beef Central, July 11, 2020

Live Export

SE Asia Report: Trade volumes strong despite ongoing Covid 19 disruption

Live cattle trade volumes remain strong despite the ongoing Covid 19 disruption, writes Dr Ross Ainsworth in his latest month South East Asia market report. ..Read More

Dr Ross Ainsworth, July 10, 2020

Lotfeeding

Feedgrain Focus: Dwindling stocks in south lift prices

Values have firmed this week based on South Australia joining Queensland and NSW as a volume buyer of Victorian grain for nearby delivery. ..Read More

Liz and Henry Wells, July 10, 2020

Recruitment

Recruitment: Tracking COVID’s impact on Australian agribusiness employment

Rain, a good growing season since March, and the ability to adapt quickly are all major factors which have helped the Australian agribusiness sector remain resilient through the first four months of COVID-19, recruitment and HR consultant Rimfire Resources says…Read More

Beef Central, July 10, 2020

Markets

Gracemere prime sale 8 July 2020: Weaner steers in demand

Strong and consistent is how agents have described this week’s Prime Cattle Sale at Central Queensland Livestock Exchange (CQLX)…Read More

Guest Author, July 10, 2020

Live Export

Laporan Pasar: Industri Daging Sapi Asia Tenggara – Edisi ke-79: Juni 2020

Volume perdagangan sapi hidup tetap kuat terlepas dari dampak Covid-19
Pasokan sapi bakalan dan sapi potong Australia menurun, harga beranjak naik..Read More

Dr Ross Ainsworth, July 10, 2020

Processing

Govt grant will help drive Western Meat Processors’ yields, market access

Western Australia’s Western Meat Packers Group has welcomed last week’s WA Government grant which will help deliver further processing of offals and other products at the company’s Cowaramup abattoir operation, as part of a $10 million expansion of operations…Read More

Beef Central, July 10, 2020

News

Updated: Webinars and online events for beef industry stakeholders

Beef Central, July 7, 2020

News

Wagyu F1 feeder prices mount a recovery – but there’s a way to go yet

Jon Condon, July 9, 2020

Agribusiness

Elanco’s acquisition of Bayer’s animal health business not opposed

Beef Central, July 9, 2020

Ag Tech

AAM hits switch on Australia’s largest on-farm energy battery

Beef Central, July 9, 2020

News

DPI works with farmers to keep NSW cattle tick-free

Beef Central, July 9, 2020

Markets

Dalby sale 8 July 2020: Softer market in mixed yarding

Beef Central, July 9, 2020

News

People on the Move: Appointments, retirements, achievements

Changing of the guard at Red Meat Advisory Council | New marketing manager for MLA | New WA development role for experienced feedlot operator | Mike Carroll departs Elders board | CSIRO’s chief reappointed | Guyra seedstock producer to lead Angus Australia | DPI’s long serving ‘biosecurity warrior’ stands down..Read More

Jon Condon, July 7, 2020

Live Export

Hainan Island cattle shipment opens new China trade pathway

Despite challenging times in Australia’s trade relationship with China positive developments are still occurring, evidenced last week by a shipment of cattle from Western Australia to Hainan Island which marked the opening of a new trade pathway that has been some six years in the making…Read More

James Nason, July 8, 2020

Trade

Mounting beef export concerns over US COVID relapse

The second wave COVID-19 crisis unfolding in the United States is creating renewed concerns among manufacturing beef exporters in Australia…Read More

Jon Condon, July 8, 2020

Trade

Does McDonald’s Grassfed Beef Burger trial have a future?

Burger giant McDonald’s is remaining tight-lipped about the success, or otherwise, of its recent grassfed burger limited-time offer across the company’s Australian restaurants. Here’s what Beef Central has learned…Read More

Jon Condon, July 7, 2020

Property

Weekly property review: Have mid-year property trends followed the script?

Well before the arrival of COVID-19 and drought-breaking rain in March, property specialists made a series of predictions about the outlook for the 2020 grazing property market. How are things measuring up, mid-year? ..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, July 8, 2020

Markets

Chris Howie’s livestock market wrap – June 2020

With new season stock, some simple calculations can increase your bottom line, while its alo time to be looking at locking prices for September to November turnoff, Chris Howie writes in this month’s analysis of southern market trends and opportunities…Read More

Chris Howie, July 7, 2020

Ag Tech

AAM hits switch on Australia’s largest on-farm energy battery

A large South Australian farming enterprise expects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 62 percent and cut network energy demand by more than 70pc following the activation of a combined 2.28MWh Tesla lithium-ion battery system…Read More

Beef Central, July 9, 2020

News

Wagyu F1 feeder prices mount a recovery – but there’s a way to go yet

After a spectacular collapse in value over the previous two years due to oversupply, Wagyu F1 feeder cattle prices are in recovery mode, and indeed again appear to have established a distinct premium over Angus equivalents, for the right cattle. Offers of 470c/kg to as high as 550c/kg liveweight are evident in the current market. ..Read More

Jon Condon, July 9, 2020

News

Bluetongue virus zone extended south

The bluetongue virus (BTV) transmission zone has been extended approximately 100 kilometres south and inland following detection of BTV in cattle in the Shoalhaven area during routine testing for the National Arbovirus Monitoring Program (NAMP)…Read More

Beef Central, July 6, 2020

Production

Getting more value out of cull cows

Charles Sturt University research, in conjunction with Meat & Livestock Australia, has shown it’s possible for beef cattle producers to increase live weight, carcase quality and potentially the financial returns from cull cows, by feeding a high energy ration…Read More

Beef Central, July 7, 2020

Industry Dashboard

$A / $US Graph

Updated 7am daily

Today

0.6960

Source: NAB

ASX Market Index

11 Jul 2020 (updated 10am daily)

Company	Price	Trending
Elders	$9.81
Australian Agricultural Co	$1.05
Graincorp	$4.00
Ridley	$0.77
Woolworths	$38.51
Wellard	$0.04

Source: ASX

Beef Kill

Eastern States, weekly

Last Week

121391

Source: MLA's NLRS

EYCI

Eastern Young Cattle Indicator, c/kg

Today

750.5

Source: MLA's NLRS

90CL Cow

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

Today

694

Source: Steiner Consulting, MLA

Live Export

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

Today

345

Source: Trade contacts

SOI Graph

Southern Oscillation Index (SOI)

Today

-9.13

Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology

Feeder Steer Graph

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

Today

358.4

Source: MLA's NLRS

What readers are saying

SE Asia Report: Trade volumes strong despite ongoing Covid 19 disruption

Another very interesting read, Dr Ross always seems to have his finger on the pulse with an excellent summary of the live export business.,....

Shaun Coutts

Hainan Island cattle shipment opens new China trade pathway

Let’s hope so Val, in the current environment any new market opening is a plus for the cattle industry.....

Ashley James

Hainan Island cattle shipment opens new China trade pathway

I have lived in Hainan for 15 years. When the first load arrived the locals went crazy trying to get the meat. Supermarkets restricted purchases to 1 kg per....

Shane Templeton

Weekly genetics review: Finding the right heifer bull, and other search challenges

I Would welcome input from Breedplan experts in this discussion. The Calving Ease EBV is a much more sensitive measurement than the others because I understand that it....

NEIL SANDERSON

Recruitment: Tracking COVID’s impact on Australian agribusiness employment

Beef Central, July 10, 2020

Updated: Webinars and online events for beef industry stakeholders

A rolling list of upcoming webinars and video conferencing events of relevance to Australia’s beef and cattle industry…Read More

Beef Central, July 7, 2020

Wagyu F1 feeder prices mount a recovery – but there’s a way to go yet

Jon Condon, July 9, 2020

Elanco’s acquisition of Bayer’s animal health business not opposed

The ACCC announced today it will not oppose Elanco’s acquisition of Bayer AG’s animal health business, after Elanco provided a court-enforceable undertaking to divest four animal parasite treatment brands…Read More

Beef Central, July 9, 2020

Markets

Cows & calves, PTICs dearer on AuctionsPlus

Cows & calves and PTIC females showed sharp rises in value on AuctionsPlus this week, where numbers offered declined by about 2500 head to 17,187 head listed…Read More

Beef Central, July 11, 2020

Gracemere prime sale 8 July 2020: Weaner steers in demand

Strong and consistent is how agents have described this week’s Prime Cattle Sale at Central Queensland Livestock Exchange (CQLX)…Read More

Guest Author, July 10, 2020

Dalby sale 8 July 2020: Softer market in mixed yarding

A good buying panel was present but prices were slighly softer due to the quality of the yarding. ..Read More

Beef Central, July 9, 2020

Dramatic 62pc rise in AuctionsPlus cattle turnover for 2019-20 financial year

AuctionsPlus has recorded a dramatic 62 percent increase in cattle turnover for the financial year just completed…Read More

Jon Condon, July 8, 2020

Production

Getting more value out of cull cows

Beef Central, July 7, 2020

Science forum seeks solutions to pasture dieback

A recent Pasture Dieback Science Forum was an opportunity for further collaboration among researchers and red meat industry groups as work continues to find solutions to the destructive pasture dieback condition, for which mealybug is the leading suspect…Read More

Beef Central, July 3, 2020

New National Vendor Declarations now available

Beef, sheepmeat and goat producers and other value chain stakeholders are reminded that new versions of the Livestock Production Assurance National Vendor Declarations for all species are now available, identified by version number 0720…Read More

Beef Central, July 2, 2020

Australian beef industry’s third annual sustainability scorecard released

The Australian beef industry’s latest annual sustainability ‘report card’ released today shows the industry is making progress on key sustainability indicators but there is work to be done to better engage industry. ..Read More

Beef Central, June 25, 2020

Processing

Govt grant will help drive Western Meat Processors’ yields, market access

Beef Central, July 10, 2020

Weekly kill: Mid-winter grids steady, despite shortening cattle supply

While there has been a modest recovery in rates of slaughter during the first week of July – partly due to tax reasons – volume remains dramatically down on this time last year…Read More

Jon Condon, July 7, 2020

Weekly kill: Qld cow offers push 20c higher in processor grids

Supply has won the day over demand this week, as some Queensland processors push their cow grids 20c/kg higher in the face of meagre mid-year access to slaughter cattle…Read More

Jon Condon, June 30, 2020

‘Smart factories’ part of processors’ vision under five-year 2025 strategic plan

Red meat processors have set themselves some ambitious goals covering efficiency, technology, sustainability and market access in the Australian Meat Processor Corporation’s 2020-25 strategic plan released yesterday…Read More

Jon Condon, June 25, 2020

Lotfeeding

Feedgrain Focus: Dwindling stocks in south lift prices

Values have firmed this week based on South Australia joining Queensland and NSW as a volume buyer of Victorian grain for nearby delivery. ..Read More

Liz and Henry Wells, July 10, 2020

Feedgrain Focus: Mostly steady amid reduced demand

Limited selling from traders and growers is supporting prices in most markets, with prompt sorghum delivered Darling Downs and wheat delivered Melbourne the only quoted prices to post significant drops this week…Read More

Liz and Henry Wells, July 3, 2020

Feedgrain Focus: Barley firms as FOT market winds down

Barley values have found some support this week as the supply of interstate grain arriving by ship slows, and China steps up on malting…Read More

Liz and Henry Wells, June 26, 2020

Feedgrain Focus: Shorts lift north in nearby, south softens

Short-covering in the northern feedgrain market has values for nearby barley up to $20 per tonne firmer in the past week, while better crop prospects have weighed heavily on new-crop markets…Read More

Liz Wells, June 19, 2020

Live Export

SE Asia Report: Trade volumes strong despite ongoing Covid 19 disruption

Live cattle trade volumes remain strong despite the ongoing Covid 19 disruption, writes Dr Ross Ainsworth in his latest month South East Asia market report. ..Read More

Dr Ross Ainsworth, July 10, 2020

Laporan Pasar: Industri Daging Sapi Asia Tenggara – Edisi ke-79: Juni 2020

Volume perdagangan sapi hidup tetap kuat terlepas dari dampak Covid-19
Pasokan sapi bakalan dan sapi potong Australia menurun, harga beranjak naik..Read More

Dr Ross Ainsworth, July 10, 2020

Hainan Island cattle shipment opens new China trade pathway

James Nason, July 8, 2020

Federal Court awards $2.94m damages to Brett Cattle Company

The Brett Cattle Company, the lead applicant in the successful class action against the Federal Government’s June 2011 decision to temporarily suspend cattle exports to Indonesia, will receive almost $3 million in damages, the Federal Court judge ruled on Monday…Read More

James Nason, June 30, 2020

Trade

Mounting beef export concerns over US COVID relapse

The second wave COVID-19 crisis unfolding in the United States is creating renewed concerns among manufacturing beef exporters in Australia…Read More

Jon Condon, July 8, 2020

Does McDonald’s Grassfed Beef Burger trial have a future?

Jon Condon, July 7, 2020

Australian beef faces tariff hike in China market, as Safeguard triggers

Tariffs on Australian beef exports to China will rise to 12 percent for the remainder of 2020, as surging beef exports again trigger the country’s Safeguard market protection provisions…Read More

Jon Condon, July 2, 2020

June beef exports continue to drift lower, as cattle supply challenges bite harder

Australia’s June beef exports have continued to show the strain of tight cattle supply, with some key markets well down on trade in earlier months, and this time last year. Other destinations were sharply higher, however…Read More

Jon Condon, July 2, 2020

Genetics

Weekly genetics review: Using your MSA Index to guide genetic directions

This week’s column is inspired by discussions with QLD beef producer Bec Burnham on using the MSA index to really start to think about genetics that impact on eating quality. The easy changes are things we can all do, but ahead of this year’s spring bull sales, producers should consider their index values for MSA and see if they can use genetics as a long-term way of improving their own index values…Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, July 7, 2020

New-look logo, website for Droughtmaster breed

Having recently completed a three-year strategic plan, Droughtmaster seedstock producers have this week launched a new breed logo, and updated website…Read More

Beef Central, July 3, 2020

Weekly genetics review: Finding the right heifer bull, and other search challenges

This week’s column follows discussions with beef producers who tell me the key equation everyone wants to know is which bulls are heifer bulls? Other buyers say they are struggling to search through data to find what they want or need in a bull. Here’s my approach to searching, using the current tools available on the breed websites, and developing a short list to take to inspections/sales..Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, June 30, 2020

Have we listed your 2020 spring bull sale details?

Beef Central is putting the finishing touches on its 2020 spring bull sales calendar, featuring sales fixtures nationwide across all major beef breeds being held between now and December. Is your sale included?..Read More

Jon Condon, June 30, 2020

Ag Tech

AAM hits switch on Australia’s largest on-farm energy battery

Beef Central, July 9, 2020

New electronic NVD promises an easy, paperless solution

A third-party provider has recently received approval to launch what it describes as a ‘game changing’ electronic National Vendor Declaration platform to help improve Australia’s livestock traceability system…Read More

Beef Central, July 6, 2020

Monitoring technology aids in northern calf-loss study

A technology originally developed for use in provide monitoring of calving for intensive dairy use is being used to underpin a large trial in northern Australia seeking to better understand reasons for calf loss…Read More

Jon Condon, June 19, 2020

Gerry Harvey joins our upcoming webinar on agtech and tax planning issues

One of Australia’s highest-profile businessmen, Gerry Harvey, will feature in our upcoming agtech webinar, focussing on tax-time implications for technology investments in agriculture. ..Read More

Beef Central, June 3, 2020

Property

Weekly property review: Have mid-year property trends followed the script?

Property editor Linda Rowley, July 8, 2020

Weekly property review: Recently completed sales

Katherine’s King River Station makes $8.75m | Neighbour expands in NSW’s far northwest | NSW Government offloads Nulla Nulla and Noola Stations | … and purchases Narriearra for conservation | South west Queensland’s Nungil makes $3.3m | Willatons sell one of their Maranoa properties..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, July 1, 2020

Movement at the Station: Recent property listings

$40m anticipated for two highly regarded Boulia properties | Auction date change for Prospect Park, as COVID limits lift | High performing beef producer in Central Queensland | Mount Haldon Station asks for $7m | Grazing, carbon and tourism in QLD’s far south west | Maranoa’s Tomoo Station listed for $10m | Southern QLD’s Whyenbirra on the market..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, July 1, 2020