Home - Beef Central

Industry can’t become complacent on fuel security, new RMAC chair

While it seems like months ago that concerns about Australia’s fuel supply was leading every news bulletin, the structural problems that led to the shortage still remain and industry cannot afford to get complacent…Read More

Eric Barker, 30/10/2026

News

Another cattle tick outbreak renews calls for tougher biosecurity measures

Queensland cattle producers are being urged to look out for cattle ticks and signs of tick fever, following another outbreak in the tick-free zone. ..Read More

Lydia Burton, 30/10/2026

Opinion

Is Australia’s cattle industry investing enough in its national voice?

On Monday a headline on Beef Central read “Cattle industry too big to rely on too few volunteers”. Yesterday, those words summarising an address from Cattle Australia chair Garry Edwards took on added resonance as events unfolded at the Woolworths annual general meeting in Sydney…Read More

James Nason, 30/10/2026

Trade

Strong red meat industry representation among Australian Export Awards finalists

The red meat industry and its service providers are well represented among the finalists for the 2026 Australian Export Awards being announced in Canberra next month…Read More

Beef Central, 30/10/2026

Why seedstock producers are first in line for on-property feed efficiency testing

If you could see a number above every animal in the mob, ranking it on how well it turns feed into product, would it change which ones you keep? Because when a stud can see that number, it doesn’t just change one herd. It changes every herd its bulls go into…Read More

Mort & Co/Stockyard big winners at Darling Downs beef battle

Two local beef brands claimed their titles as People’s Choice and Professional Judges’ Choice winners at the 2026 Darling Downs Beef Battle…Read More

Beef Central, 30/10/2026

The Weekly Grill

S6 EP36: Australia’s feedlot expansion boom – with HTW’s Doug Knight

In today’s episode, host Kerry Lonergan sits down with Herron Todd White’s Quality Director and specialist agribusiness property valuer, Doug Knight to dissect the current feedlot sale and expansion boom…Read More

Beef Central, 30/10/2026

Recruitment

Recruitment: Three top tips on how to manage a team more effectively

A good leader will not only steer (no pun intended) a red meat supply chain business in the right direction, but also motivate and inspire their team at the same time. Here are some tips on effective management for any business in the meat and livestock industry…Read More

Beef Central, 30/10/2026

Markets

Dubbo sale 29 October: Feeder steers 8-15c dearer

David Monk, NLRS, 30/10/2026

News

Cattle Australia counters activist deforestation claims at Woolworths AGM

James Nason, 29/10/2026

Live Export

SE Asia Report: High Aussie cattle prices and Indonesia’s domestic price caps make trading conditions difficult

Dr Michael Patching, 29/10/2026

The Week in Beef - Podcast

Podcast: Cattle prices reach 2026 high | Levy vote nears | How to splatter a locust

Eric Barker and Lydia Burton, 29/10/2026

News

Delayed NLIS 2.0 to go live in late 2027, following comprehensive delivery review

Beef Central, 29/10/2026

News

Booming Wagyu industry conference heads to Adelaide in April

Beef Central, 29/10/2026

Industry Dashboard

Carbon Trading Market

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

Today

37.75

Source: Jarden

$A / $US

Updated 7am daily

Today

0.7029

Source: NAB

ASX Market Index

30 Oct 2026 (updated 10am daily)

Company	Price	Trending
Elders	$8.96
Australian Agricultural Co	$1.52
Graincorp	$7.29
Ridley	$2.12
Woolworths	$36.64
Wellard	$0.06

Source: ASX

Beef Kill

Eastern States, weekly

Last Week

150172

Source: MLA's NLRS

EYCI

Eastern Young Cattle Indicator, c/kg

Today

1037.2

Source: MLA's NLRS

90CL Cow

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

Today

1011

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

-20.95

Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology

Feeder Steer

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

Today

547

Source: Feeder Steer

What readers are saying

Cattle Australia counters activist deforestation claims at Woolworths AGM

Thanks Adam, for being the voice of reason in that room today, we should be grateful for you making the effort to be there and keep showing up in....

Stuart Austin

US goes past Aussie domestic market as largest destination for Aussie beef

It would be interesting to see rankings and comparisons in value terms rather than just in volume terms. Japan has traditionally been a higher value market with mostly table....

Andrew Dunlop

Vale Tom Mann

A true gentleman and mentor to many, the industry is in a better place today from the foresight showed By Tom . Will be missed by us all. Condolences to....

Russell Lethbridge

Vale Tom Mann

Tom Mann will leave a big gap in the beef industry - his legacy will live through his family and those who had a close association with him. ....

Desiree Jackson

Industry can’t become complacent on fuel security, new RMAC chair

Eric Barker, 30/10/2026

Another cattle tick outbreak renews calls for tougher biosecurity measures

Queensland cattle producers are being urged to look out for cattle ticks and signs of tick fever, following another outbreak in the tick-free zone. ..Read More

Lydia Burton, 30/10/2026

Is Australia’s cattle industry investing enough in its national voice?

James Nason, 30/10/2026

Mort & Co/Stockyard big winners at Darling Downs beef battle

Two local beef brands claimed their titles as People’s Choice and Professional Judges’ Choice winners at the 2026 Darling Downs Beef Battle…Read More

Beef Central, 30/10/2026

Markets

Dubbo sale 29 October: Feeder steers 8-15c dearer

A fair quality yarding with good numbers of prime cattle in all sections along with large numbers of yearlings to suit the feeders and backgrounders…Read More

David Monk, NLRS, 30/10/2026

Charters Towers 28 October 2026: Feeder demand strong

Quality was very mixed comprising of some good grain assisted prime steers and cows, similar numbers of northern bulls and several mixed lines of younger lighter weight steers and heifers…Read More

Beef Central, 29/10/2026

Second Wagyu commercial cattle online sale slated for launch

A second monthly Wagyu and Wagyu infused commercial online cattle sale platform has been launched, just a week after a similar platform held its first sale…Read More

Beef Central, 28/10/2026

Dalby sale 28 October 2026: Rain reduces numbers

The trend of reduced numbers due to widespread rainfall across the supply area continued at Dalby with agents yarding 2,486 head a decline of 794 from the previous sale…Read More

Beef Central, 28/10/2026

Livestock SA has welcomed the South Australian government’s $8 million Primary Industries Future Forward Fund as an opportunity to support practical, industry-led initiatives that strengthen the state’s livestock industry…Read More

Beef Central, 05/10/2026

Scholarship to give working dog education across the US

Applications are open for a new scholarship that will give young people with a passion for working dogs the opportunity to undertake a tour of America, aiming to improve their skills…Read More

Beef Central, 02/10/2026

Bull breakdown can cost herd performance

Losing young bulls to breakdown was once a major cost for an Esperance (WA) cattle producing family – but 20 years of vaccinating virgin bulls before joining has helped them reduce losses and improve their confidence in investing in better genetics…Read More

Beef Central, 29/09/2026

Processing

Workforce pressures in red meat processing set to build over next decade

The red meat processing industry will need to manage more than 91,000 worker departures over the next decade, economic analysis commissioned by AMPC suggests. Most new entrants to the sector will be replacing departing workers, leaving a growing gap as labour demand strengthens later in the decade…Read More

Beef Central, 28/10/2026

Cattle slaughter falls sharply on rain

National cattle slaughter fell by 7800 head last week, on the back of widespread rain and its impact on logistics, cattle supply and changing producer sentiment…Read More

Jon Condon, 28/10/2026

Weekly kill: Sizing up the short and longer-term impact of the big rain event on processing

Export beef processing plants all the way from North Queensland to southern NSW will miss production days this week and/or next week, as the first real impacts from the recent big rain event take hold…Read More

Jon Condon, 27/10/2026

Weekly kill: Rain pushes some grids higher, as supply tightens

This week’s rain event is pressuring supply for beef processors – both short and potentially, longer-term – pushing some direct consignment offers and saleyards markets higher…Read More

Jon Condon, 20/10/2026

Lotfeeding

Feeder cattle market: Gridlock as prices surge to “anyone’s guess”

Feeder cattle prices across the north have surged in the past week as widespread rain and supply disruptions send buyers to the saleyards – with some Hereford steers this morning going above 590c/kg and Angus cattle heading from south to north…Read More

Eric Barker, 26/10/2026

Feedgrain Focus: Rain washes quality, weight from northern crops

Cereal crops in southern Qld and northern NSW are losing weight and quality every day as rain settles in over the region…Read More

Liz Wells, 26/10/2026

Feedgrain Focus: North firms, south eases as harvest ramps up

Prices have firmed in the north and eased in the south amid more patchy rain, and concerns about locusts in Vic’s Mallee region…Read More

Liz Wells, 19/10/2026

Feeder cattle market: Grids strengthen as northern rain builds

Northern feeder cattle grids have risen slightly in the north, with one of the first signs of widespread Spring rain starting to appear…Read More

Eric Barker, 12/10/2026

Live Export

SE Asia Report: High Aussie cattle prices and Indonesia’s domestic price caps make trading conditions difficult

High Australian cattle prices and Indonesia’s domestic price caps are making trading conditions difficult | Vietnam’s cattle herd is shrinking despite higher beef output | Australia’s live cattle exports down 23.5pc year-on-year | ..Read More

Dr Michael Patching, 29/10/2026

Live cattle exports ease, but Darwin prices hold ahead of Ramadan buying

Australia’s live cattle exports fell by almost 35 percent in September, but Darwin feeder prices remain firm as the trade prepares for an expected lift in Indonesian buying ahead of Ramadan…Read More

James Nason, 14/10/2026

A fresh look at Australia’s livestock exporting companies, 2005 to June 2026

Who are Australia’s active live exporting companies, and where do they operate? Since 2005 there have been 59 different companies that have exported livestock by sea, and the number of exporters still active in the last three years has sat at 16, down slightly from 19 in 2022, live export market commentator Michael Patching reports…Read More

Dr Michael Patching, 01/10/2026

SE Asia Report: Thailand working on plan to ship 100,000 cattle per month to China

The Thai agriculture ministry announced on 17 June that it is targeting the collection of Thai beef cattle for export by ship to China at 100,000 head a month, or 1.2 million head a year, through a quarantine hub to be built at Bang Saphan – a privately owned deep-sea port that Australian exporters used to discharge cattle back in 2015…Read More

Dr Michael Patching, 16/09/2026

Trade

Strong red meat industry representation among Australian Export Awards finalists

The red meat industry and its service providers are well represented among the finalists for the 2026 Australian Export Awards being announced in Canberra next month…Read More

Beef Central, 30/10/2026

Customer-savvy independent butchers kicking goals in red meat sales

Brisbane-butcher Billy Gibney who will manage Australia’s 2028 World Butchers Challenge Team shares his insights from behind the retail counter on how cost-of-living pressures are playing out at the retail shop front, but also the the bright future in the next generation of young butchers coming through, including newly inducted Australian Butchers’ Challenge team member Luke Thomas from Toowoomba…Read More

Roger Desailly, 22/10/2026

Central Qld’s King River Wagyu supply chain claims regional exporter award

Wagyu beef supply chain King River has claimed a major award during the 2026 Premier of Queensland’s Export awards held in Brisbane this week…Read More

Jon Condon, 16/10/2026

Playing with the big boys: Brazil’s beef export push set to intensify competition for Australia

Brazil’s emergence as the world’s largest beef producer and exporter is reshaping global trade flows and intensifying competition in several of Australia’s key export markets, according to a recent report…Read More

Beef Central, 09/10/2026

Genetics

Weekly genetics review: The highs and the lows of the 2026 bull sale season

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner’s summary across 450 bull sales held so far in 2026 across Australia shows numbers offered were up 3.2pc on last year, clearance lifted almost 2pc to 91.6pc, while the weighted average price rose 43pc to $12,113. ..Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 27/10/2026

84pc of Angus seedstock breeders back breed-owned genetic evaluation, as questions over MLA plan go unanswered

Results from a recent survey of members show that Angus seedstock breeders have given their national breed society a clear mandate to keep control of Angus genetic evaluation, as MLA progresses moves towards a multibreed evaluation system…Read More

Beef Central, 27/10/2026

Angus Australia challenges MLA over multi-breed evaluation moves

The nation’s largest and most influential seedstock representative body has taken MLA to task over its proposed establishment of a national multi-breed genetic evaluation platform…Read More

Jon Condon, 21/10/2026

Weekly genetics review: Look past the turnoff when judging your breeding program

This week’s column looks at why year-to-year sales figures on their own can’t show whether a herd’s genetics are improving. It draws on a new Livestock Science paper on long-term drivers of northern beef performance, and the Bush AgriBusiness Australian Beef Report 2026, then works through where genetics can help a herd move closer to the top 25pc performance target through more weaners, fewer deaths and heavier sale cattle…Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 20/10/2026

Ag Tech

User-friendly drone technology targeting weeds hovers into view

Land managers are closer to harnessing the benefits of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning technologies to help them manage Australia’s large and diverse exotic weed pest challenge…Read More

Beef Central, 28/08/2026

Technology to bolster on-farm biosecurity compliance

For biosecurity plans to be successful, they must be followed by everyone who enters a property. Technology has been developed to help make this easier…Read More

Lydia Burton, 07/08/2026

Virtual fencing delivers 99pc sheep, 96pc cattle compliance in US grazing trial

A year-long grazing trial in the United States has demonstrated high rates of compliance for cattle and sheep managed with virtual fencing technology…Read More

James Nason, 08/07/2026

High-tech simulator boosting safety on Queensland farms

A machinery simulation unit will be deployed to schools and feedlots across Qld as AgForce Training works to boost farm safety…Read More

Beef Central, 08/07/2026

AgProperty Central

Weekly property review: Recently completed sales

Grimwade & Gordon portfolio winds down | Qld family buys Lund Grain’s Burdekin irrigation & cattle operation | Three NQ cattle stations secured for new national parks..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 28/10/2026

Properties for sale- New South Wales

Leading wool broker lists Molong’s Mullungeen | Liverpool Plains property tipped to attract good interest | Coolah’s Kapsch Farms remains for sale | $20m price tag for Western Lands Lease..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 28/10/2026

Movement at the station: Properties for sale in Qld, Victoria and South Australia

Clarks list Victorian ag opportunity | Extended EOI’s for SW Qld’s Boanbirra | Scale in SA’s Murray Mallee..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 28/10/2026

Weekly property review: Recently completed sales

Record for Augathella dress circle country | Farming families pay $14m for Innisfail Downs in NW Qld | NQ’s Ella Vale changes hands | CW NSW’s Kallara makes $2.2m..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 21/10/2026

AgCarbon Central

Call for food production to be protected in carbon market development

With the Federal Government reviewing the main policy underpinning demand for carbon credits, the National Farmers Federation says it needs to make sure food production is protected…Read More

Beef Central, 30/09/2026

Opinion: A bad time to be a tree in Queensland

James Henderson is a producer from Monto in Central Queensland and a co-founder of carbon and natural capital advisory IsidoreAg. In this contributed article, he argues that the Federal Government’s new environmental laws combined with a tightening of carbon and natural capital opportunities is pushing landholders to clear more trees than necessary…Read More

James Henderson, 08/09/2026

New method makes dual emissions reporting available to cattle companies

A new research paper has developed the first methodology enabling livestock companies to report their greenhouse gas emissions using both GWP100 and GWP*…Read More

James Nason, 02/09/2026

NFF raises concerns about proposed changes to soil carbon

The National Farmers Federation has raised concerns about proposed changes to Australia’s soil carbon methodology…Read More

Beef Central, 25/08/2026