Home - Beef Central

Policy on HGP will impact US’s ability to service China beef market under new trade deal

Whether China agrees to relax its current no-HGP requirement on beef will have a major bearing on the ability of the US to service the Chinese export beef market under breakthrough trade deals signed this week by US President Donald Trump and Chinese Vice Premier Liu…Read More

Jon Condon, January 17, 2020

Live Export

SE Asia Report: Brazilian beef reaches Indonesian wet markets in volume

Also in today’s December 2019 South East Asian beef market report: Oversupply keeps Indonesian live cattle prices weak; African Swine Fever confirmed in Indonesia; Vietnamese and Thai prices up again, and insights into Ethiopa’s cattle and beef industry…Read More

Dr Ross Ainsworth, January 17, 2020

News

Bushfires: Have farm carbon projects gone up in smoke?

Carbon credit specialists say it is inevitable some farm based carbon storage projects will been have impacted by bushfires so far this summer, but it is unlikely proponents will face severe contractual liabilities as a result…Read More

James Nason, January 17, 2020

Multimedia

PODCAST: Why aren’t producers engaged with industry representation?

Rural journalists Nicole Bond and Jayne Cuddihy explore this question in the latest edition of their popular podcast “There’s an Elephant in My Paddock”…Read More

Beef Central, January 17, 2020

News

MLA drops $10 million Bushfire Emergency Response Fund

MLA has dropped a proposed $10 million Bushfire Emergency Response Fund to finance the transport of livestock out of affected areas, after industry body opposition and a roll-out of Federal Government support…Read More

Terry Sim, January 17, 2020

Lotfeeding

Feedgrain Focus: Prices jump as growers hold, fires disrupt

A continued lack of grower selling has driven up wheat and barley prices by up to $20 per tonne in the past month as traders scramble to cover short positions amid difficult supply conditions…Read More

Liz Wells, January 17, 2020

Recruitment

Recruitment: Employability skills beef industry job candidates will need in 2020

Whether you’re currently employed or actively searching for a new career in the red meat and livestock industry, employability skills have a strong correlation to success on-the-job. What are they?..Read More

Beef Central, January 17, 2020

Live Export

Laporan Pasar: Industri Daging Sapi Asia Tenggara December 2019

Dr Ross Ainsworth, January 17, 2020

News

‘It suddenly got very real’: Corryong’s devastating bushfire ordeal

James Nason, January 16, 2020

Property

ACC pays $20m for Augathella property, Gladys Downs

Jon Condon, January 16, 2020

News

Warning for fire affected properties as rain approaches

Guest Author, January 16, 2020

Domestic

McDonald’s unveils Aussie-first McVeggie burger

Beef Central, January 16, 2020

News

Time for farmers to be paid for the ecosystems services they provide

Beef Central, January 15, 2020

Property

Property: Final deals drawing close on prized Clark & Tait grazing assets

Beef Central understands that contracts were signed before Christmas on six of the seven grazing properties being offered under the Clark & Tait western Queensland grazing portfolio dispersal…Read More

Jon Condon, January 15, 2020

Property

ACC pays $20m for Augathella property, Gladys Downs

Australian Country Choice has paid a district record price to secure the quality large-scale Augathella district grazing aggregation, Gladys Downs…Read More

Jon Condon, January 16, 2020

News

Kay’s Cuts: More global twists await red meat in 2020

The global protein business had more than its fair share of twists and turns last year, and 2020 will see more of the same, notably in China and Japan, writes US meat and livestock market commentator Steve Kay…Read More

Steve Kay, January 13, 2020

Processing

Weekly kill: Processor grid prices volatile in opening stages of 2020

It’s been a volatile start to the 2020 beef processing season, with grid offers opening at rates similar to late December, before pushing lower last week in the face of further heavy drought-forced cattle supply pressure…Read More

Jon Condon, January 14, 2020

News

‘It suddenly got very real’: Corryong’s devastating bushfire ordeal

Corryong cattle producer and livestock agent Justin Costello describes the isolation property owners felt as devastating fires approached the region over the New Year period, and how the community is fighting to recover in the aftermath…Read More

James Nason, January 16, 2020

Live Export

Former Wellard boss eyes new live export venture

Former Wellard CEO Mauro Balzarini has unveiled plans to develop a new livestock export venture, based on “cleaner, smarter” LNG-powered livestock vessels that he says will significantly improve animal welfare and environmental performance…Read More

Beef Central, January 13, 2020

News

Fears over fodder shortage in bushfire-affected areas

The first load of cattle pellets for bushfire-affected farmers in north-east Victoria left Ballarat today amid fears of a coming shortage of uncommitted fodder available for livestock in fire-ravaged areas…Read More

Terry Sim, January 13, 2020

Weather

Weekly rainfall outlook 13 Jan 2020: Wetter than average week likely

For 13-19 January, a wetter than average week is likely across much of the north and west of the continent, as well as in southwest Queensland and northern parts of NSW…Read More

Bureau of Meteorology, January 13, 2020

News

Time for farmers to be paid for the ecosystems services they provide

The Farmers for Climate Action group is calling for the Federal Government to support farmers to become a greater part of multifaceted climate solutions in 2020, including payments for the ecosystem services they can and do provide…Read More

Beef Central, January 15, 2020

Production

Global tour underscores beef profitability imperatives

The beef industry in north west Queensland (NWQ) faces serious challenges to its prosperity unless a greater emphasis is placed on basic business principles, intellectual capital, environmental sustainability and global markets…Read More

Beef Central, January 14, 2020

Industry Dashboard

$A / $US Graph

Updated 7am daily

Today

0.6800

Source: NAB

ASX Market Index

18 Jan 2020 (updated 10am daily)

Company	Price	Trending
Elders	$7.13
Australian Agricultural Co	$1.12
Graincorp	$8.18
Ridley	$1.09
Woolworths	$38.68
Wellard	$0.05

Source: ASX

Beef Kill

Eastern States, weekly

Last Week

119251

Source: MLA's NLRS

EYCI

Eastern Young Cattle Indicator, c/kg

Today

515.5

Source: MLA's NLRS

90CL Cow

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

Today

735.3

Source: Steiner Consulting, MLA

Live Export

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

Today

Source: Trade contacts

SOI Graph

Southern Oscillation Index (SOI)

Today

-7.54

Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology

Feeder Steer Graph

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

Today

Source: MLA's NLRS

What readers are saying

JBS donates $1 million to underpin Australian Volunteer Firefighter Trust

Well done JBS... great effort....

SHIRLEY BASTIAN

Common mistakes limiting value of exclusion fences: veteran contractor

You could not get better advice. Brian is a top fencer.....

Philippa Pocock

China imported meat market in turmoil, as buyers seek to renegotiate deals after prices plummet

Always be very careful putting too many of your "eggs" in the China basket. They have the ability and will to turn off market access on a whim, leaving your....

Greg

Cattle saleyard throughput state-by-state 2018-19

Hi. we live in the South Burnett and have 2 saleyard complexes in our area selling cattle. Coolabunia (near Kingaroy) and Murgon. Both centres are not listed in the....

Sandra Steffensen

Bushfires: Have farm carbon projects gone up in smoke?

James Nason, January 17, 2020

PODCAST: Why aren’t producers engaged with industry representation?

Rural journalists Nicole Bond and Jayne Cuddihy explore this question in the latest edition of their popular podcast “There’s an Elephant in My Paddock”…Read More

Beef Central, January 17, 2020

MLA drops $10 million Bushfire Emergency Response Fund

Terry Sim, January 17, 2020

Recruitment: Employability skills beef industry job candidates will need in 2020

Beef Central, January 17, 2020

Markets

Dalby sale 15 Jan 2020: Rain forecast lifts market

The forecast of some rain lifted prices across most classes…Read More

Beef Central, January 16, 2020

EYCI shows sharp rise in anticipation of rain

The prospect of significant rain over parts of eastern Australia over the next week, combined with strong early January southern weaner sale results has driven the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator sharply higher during the opening stages of 2020. Today’s figure of 505.25c/kg is up 23.5c on the final quote for the 2019 year back on 20 December…Read More

Jon Condon, January 15, 2020

Roma store sale 14 Jan 2020: Prices lift on opening rates

The quality of the yarding varied and prices were reflective of the variations, but overall prices improved significantly from the previous week…Read More

Beef Central, January 15, 2020

Wagga sale 13 Jan 2020: Prices ease as secondary stock come forward

The increased numbers and mixed quality caused some price variations throughout the sale…Read More

Leann Dax, January 14, 2020

Production

Global tour underscores beef profitability imperatives

Beef Central, January 14, 2020

Common mistakes limiting value of exclusion fences: veteran contractor

A veteran fencing contractor says the return of netting fencing is revitalising production options in inland areas, but warns that in some cases poor construction and inadequate maintenance standards may be limiting the potential benefits…Read More

James Nason, December 19, 2019

Be alert for blue-green algae in farm water supplies over summer

Current seasonal conditions across much of eastern Australia remain favourable for blue-green algae to thrive in farm water supplies over summer, and livestock owners are reminded that they need to remain alert, as blue-green algae can result in poisoning of livestock…Read More

Beef Central, December 19, 2019

Applications open for funding to combat feral animals and weeds

Applications for $10 million dollars in pest and weed funding open today, with 183 councils eligible to apply for project funding in the latest round…Read More

Beef Central, December 19, 2019

Processing

Weekly kill: Processor grid prices volatile in opening stages of 2020

Jon Condon, January 14, 2020

Red meat processors gain voice on Federal labour advisory committee

The appointment of Gundagai Meat Processors CEO Will Barton to a new government advisory committee will ensure the voice of the supply chain is heard, according to the Australian Meat Industry Council (AMIC)…Read More

James Nason, December 12, 2019

Weekly kill: Alarming swings being seen in imported lean beef markets

What goes up, must come down, the old saying goes, and the export beef industry is seeing it manifested in the most dramatic way this week, as lean manufacturing beef prices slump alarmingly, after an earlier period of equally dramatic rises…Read More

Jon Condon, December 10, 2019

Technology uptake recognised in meat processor’s Woolies supplier award

A strong emphasis on technology adoption was recognised last week when Victorian red meat processor Frewstal was announced as Woolworths’ protein supplier of the year for 2019. ..Read More

Jon Condon, December 10, 2019

Lotfeeding

Feedgrain Focus: Prices jump as growers hold, fires disrupt

Liz Wells, January 17, 2020

Feedgrain Focus: Wash-outs overheat sorghum market

Decision time came this week for many with forward positions in sorghum as Christmas shutdowns ganged up with the poor weather outlook to trigger a spike in March/April sorghum trades, and wheat and barley firmed…Read More

Liz Wells and Henry Wells, December 20, 2019

Australia’s best MSA feedlots awarded

Five feedlots across Australia have been awarded for consistently producing cattle that achieve outstanding compliance rates to Meat Standards Australia specifications…Read More

Beef Central, December 19, 2019

Feedgrain Focus: Prices climb on deferred northern demand

Southern consumer demand saw prices climbing in Victoria and kept growers reluctant sellers. Port Pirie’s first shipment discharged in Brisbane, SA to become the major supplier into the north…Read More

Liz and Henry Wells, December 13, 2019

Live Export

SE Asia Report: Brazilian beef reaches Indonesian wet markets in volume

Dr Ross Ainsworth, January 17, 2020

Laporan Pasar: Industri Daging Sapi Asia Tenggara December 2019

Edisi ke-73: Desember 2019: Kelebihan pasokan melemahkan harga sapi hidup di Indonesia; Daging sapi Brasil menyerbu pasar-pasar tradisional Indonesia; Flu Babi Afrika (African Swine Fever) terkonfirmasi di Indonesia; Harga di Vietnam dan Thailand kembali naik bulan ini..Read More

Dr Ross Ainsworth, January 17, 2020

Former Wellard boss eyes new live export venture

Beef Central, January 13, 2020

SE Asia Report: Oversupply impacts prices | Brazilian beef hits Jakarta

Also in today’s November 2019 South East Asian beef market update: Filipino prices break through the AUD$5 mark and slaughter cattle push over $7 per kg live weight in Shanghai…Read More

Dr Ross Ainsworth, December 16, 2019

Trade

Policy on HGP will impact US’s ability to service China beef market under new trade deal

Jon Condon, January 17, 2020

McDonald’s unveils Aussie-first McVeggie burger

McDonald’s Australia has joined the list of chains offering plant based burgers in Australia with the nation-wide launch of its new “McVeggie” burger on Wednesday…Read More

Beef Central, January 16, 2020

National Sausage Kings set to be crowned

The humble snag will be celebrated in all its glory next month when the 2020 National Sausage King winners are crowned at a gala event being held this year in Terrigal, NSW…Read More

Beef Central, January 13, 2020

China imported meat market in turmoil, as buyers seek to renegotiate deals after prices plummet

Reports of Chinese buyers reneging on contracts on beef and other imported proteins have emerged this week, as imported meat prices in the country continue to plummet…Read More

Jon Condon, December 17, 2019

Genetics

2019 bull sales: Your complete guide to how each major beef breed fared

Beef Central’s annual breed-by-breed analysis of bull sales during 2019 exposes wide variance in performance, based on average prices and numbers of bulls sold per breed ..Read More

Jon Condon, December 5, 2019

2019 bull sales: 13pc decline in numbers sold at auction

A combination of fewer bulls being catalogued for sale by bull breeders, and lower sale clearance rates has driven a 13 percent decline in the number of bulls sold at auction this year across Australia, Beef Central’s annual analysis of bull sale trends has shown…Read More

Jon Condon, December 5, 2019

CSIRO auctions historic bull semen for charity

Advances in science mean an historic collection of bull semen held by CSIRO is no longer required by the national science agency, and will be auctioned this week to raise money for the charity. An on-line auction will include about 150 semen lots totalling about 5000 straws from a variety of breeds, representing AI donor bulls gathered in the 1980s and 90s…Read More

Beef Central, November 25, 2019

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

Ag Tech

Hungry Jacks founder Jack Cowin says farmers can capitalise on new diets

‘The burgers are better at Hungry Jacks’ and now, according to the Founder of the fast food chain, they are also better for our world. And whilst the recent release of the plant-based Rebel Whopper has attracted a new customer base, Jack Cowin’s primary ambition is to produce more of these economical alternative proteins in Australia, leading to additional jobs and greater investment…Read More

Beef Central, December 2, 2019

RED MEAT 2019: “I can check my pastures while I eat my Weet-Bix”

One year ago Meat & Livestock Australia and Carwoola Pastoral Company near Canberra joined forces to put a wide range of ag tech products to the practical and economical test on the property. What were the findings?..Read More

James Nason, November 19, 2019

Agtech: Artificial Intelligence trial tracks JBS beef from paddock to plate

A ground-breaking trial underway with the nation’s largest red meat exporter, JBS Australia, is using sensors, Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things and blockchain to provide a data trail for the industry and consumers – all the way from paddock to plate…Read More

Beef Central, November 20, 2019

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