Tuesday 1 December 2020
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Processing

Year of two halves for co-op meat processor NCMC, after $8.2m profit

It was a year of sharply contrasting halves for NSW meat processor Northern Cooperative Meat Co, which announced an $8.2 million profit after tax for the 2020 financial year to shareholders at its annual general meeting in Casino recently…Read More

Jon Condon, November 30, 2020

Lotfeeding

Feedgrain Focus: Truck squeeze, weather support prices

Export demand and limited grower selling are helping to support prices this week as the market heeds a dry and extremely hot week ahead for south-eastern Australia which may prompt some harvest bans. ..Read More

Liz Wells, November 30, 2020

News

WA considers an end to mandatory cattle branding

Western Australian livestock owners, industry and the community are being encouraged to provide feedback on a proposal to make earmarking and branding of stock optional…Read More

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Beef Central, November 30, 2020

News

Webinar: Northern Breeding Business – Launching a better future for northern breeding herds

A webinar scheduled for Wednesday next week will introduce Northern Breeding Business, a producer-designed and led extension, adoption and research program aimed at increasing breeding herd performance and reducing calf mortality in northern Australia…Read More

Beef Central, November 30, 2020

Production

Best practice serrated tussock guide released

An industry first, best practice weed hygiene guide aimed at preventing the spread of serrated tussock and other weeds due to land management practices such as slashing, movement of vehicles and machinery has been developed…Read More

1
Beef Central, November 30, 2020

News

Looking for ideas for Xmas? Cattle Baron board game an ideal gift

With Christmas fast approaching, orders are hotting-up for Beef Central’s incredibly popular ‘Cattle Baron’ board game. While there are plenty of copies still in stock, we strongly urge readers to order early this year for Christmas gift-giving, because of congestion in Australia Post parcel delivery as a result of COVID…Read More

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Beef Central, November 14, 2020

Markets

Most categories ease in price, in smaller AuctionsPlus offering

Price corrections were seen across the majority of stock categories on AuctionsPlus this week. Cattle numbers were down 4pc, with a total listing of 19,559 head…Read More

Beef Central, November 28, 2020

News

Stanbroke’s Diamantina wins 2020 Darling Downs Beef Battle
Beef Central, November 27, 2020

Weather

Seasonal climate outlook Dec 2020-Feb 2021
Bureau of Meteorology, November 27, 2020

Weather

Outlooks versus reality show rainfall still eludes many
1
James Nason, November 27, 2020

Markets

How high can cattle prices go? 1000c/kg EYCI ‘entirely possible,’ says NAB
2
Beef Central, November 27, 2020

Recruitment

Recruitment: Close link between staff satisfaction and ag business performance
Beef Central, November 27, 2020

Production

Maximise your exposure at Beef 2021 through Beef Central
Beef Central, November 26, 2020

Industry Dashboard

$A / $US Graph

Updated 7am daily
Today
0.7380
Source: NAB

ASX Market Index

01 Dec 2020 (updated 10am daily)
Company Price Trending
Elders $10.48
Australian Agricultural Co $1.07
Graincorp $4.37
Ridley $0.93
Woolworths $36.98
Wellard $0.06
Source: ASX

Beef Kill

Eastern States, weekly

Last Week

104177
Source: MLA's NLRS

EYCI

Eastern Young Cattle Indicator, c/kg

Today

801.25
Source: MLA's NLRS

90CL Cow

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

Today

654.3
Source: Steiner Consulting, MLA

Live Export

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

Today

390
Source: Trade contacts

SOI Graph

Southern Oscillation Index (SOI)

Today

4.19
Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology

Feeder Steer Graph

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

Today

393.2
Source: MLA's NLRS

What readers are saying

Best practice serrated tussock guide released

The tussock is out of control and spreading every were I have been attending field days since 1950 yes 1950 so know what I am talking about Gary Grady....

Gary Grady
More
WA considers an end to mandatory cattle branding

NLIS does not legislate for ownership. Only traceability of stock movements. As far as security of ownership is concerned it is very easy to cut out an eartag, but....

David Connolly
More
Sacred Cow film debunks anti-meat myths

I have always thought that the misinformation that has been circulated about primary production needs to be questioned and the truth put out there for every one to see.....

Peter Mattner
More
ICPA calls for official day to recognise distance education

Please keep advocating for this. Recognition and assistance is LONG overdue. A teacher’s aid salary should be sought.....

Val Dyer
More

News

WA considers an end to mandatory cattle branding

Western Australian livestock owners, industry and the community are being encouraged to provide feedback on a proposal to make earmarking and branding of stock optional…Read More

Beef Central, November 30, 2020

Webinar: Northern Breeding Business – Launching a better future for northern breeding herds

A webinar scheduled for Wednesday next week will introduce Northern Breeding Business, a producer-designed and led extension, adoption and research program aimed at increasing breeding herd performance and reducing calf mortality in northern Australia…Read More

Beef Central, November 30, 2020

Looking for ideas for Xmas? Cattle Baron board game an ideal gift

With Christmas fast approaching, orders are hotting-up for Beef Central’s incredibly popular ‘Cattle Baron’ board game. While there are plenty of copies still in stock, we strongly urge readers to order early this year for Christmas gift-giving, because of congestion in Australia Post parcel delivery as a result of COVID…Read More

Beef Central, November 14, 2020

Stanbroke’s Diamantina wins 2020 Darling Downs Beef Battle

250 steak lovers last night crowned Stanbroke’s Diamantina Wagyu beef as the champion of the 2020 Darling Downs Beef Battle in Toowoomba…Read More

Beef Central, November 27, 2020

Markets

Most categories ease in price, in smaller AuctionsPlus offering

Price corrections were seen across the majority of stock categories on AuctionsPlus this week. Cattle numbers were down 4pc, with a total listing of 19,559 head…Read More

Beef Central, November 28, 2020

How high can cattle prices go? 1000c/kg EYCI ‘entirely possible,’ says NAB

While it is ‘entirely possible’ that the EYCI will reach 1000c/kg in early 2021, it likely to be unsustainable if achieved, NAB Agribusiness says in its latest monthly report. Already expensive compared to our competitors, a drier second half of 2021 will likely result in downward trend in Australian cattle prices into the second half of 2021 and into 2022, NAB says…Read More

Beef Central, November 27, 2020

Dalby sale 25 Nov 2020: Prices ease in larger yarding

Medium and heavy weight yearling steers were present in good numbers. Overall demand remained firm but prices eased…Read More

Beef Central, November 26, 2020

North/South seasonal contrasts fuel big exodus of QLD young cattle

Ongoing dry conditions in northern Australia and near-irresistible high prices in 2020 has seen a dramatic rise in the numbers of young cattle offered out of Queensland through AuctionsPlus this year, with weaner and yearling listings up 159pc, year to date…Read More

Beef Central, November 25, 2020

Production

Best practice serrated tussock guide released

An industry first, best practice weed hygiene guide aimed at preventing the spread of serrated tussock and other weeds due to land management practices such as slashing, movement of vehicles and machinery has been developed…Read More

Beef Central, November 30, 2020

Maximise your exposure at Beef 2021 through Beef Central

With the Beef Australia 2021 event in Rockhampton now only five months away, it’s time for agribusinesses of all types participating in the event to start thinking about getting their brand in front of the tens of thousands of visitors likely to attend next year’s event…Read More

Beef Central, November 26, 2020

MLA summer and wet season resource hubs now online

Producers can now access regionally-relevant resources to support seasonal on-farm decision making this summer with the launch of both a Summer Hub for southern producers and Northern Wet Season Hub on Meat & Livestock Australia’s (MLA) website…Read More

Beef Central, November 24, 2020

New Australian Standard for loading ramps published, but details at a cost

Standards Australia has published the first Australian Standard for Livestock loading/unloading ramps and forcing pens, but it will cost producers $125 to view the 37 page document…Read More

Beef Central, November 23, 2020

Processing

Year of two halves for co-op meat processor NCMC, after $8.2m profit

It was a year of sharply contrasting halves for NSW meat processor Northern Cooperative Meat Co, which announced an $8.2 million profit after tax for the 2020 financial year to shareholders at its annual general meeting in Casino recently…Read More

Jon Condon, November 30, 2020

Weekly kill: Grids show sharp correction, as dry weather pushes cattle offload in the north

Hot, dry weather across large parts of northern Australia is pushing cattle to market in unexpected volume, leading to a sudden change in the supply/demand dynamic for slaughter cattle this week…Read More

Jon Condon, November 24, 2020

JBS bounces back after COVID with strong third quarter financials

Slaughter cattle supply out of Australia is not likely to recover significantly until at least 2022, investors were told during a JBS briefing following the tabling of the company’s third quarter financials earlier this week. Global beef processor JBS has bounced back from the impacts of COVID earlier in the year, reporting net revenues of R$70 billion for the quarter ended September, up 34pc on the same period last year and a new record for the company…Read More

Jon Condon, November 20, 2020

Weekly kill: Northern grid prices remain at record levels

Direct consignment slaughter grid offers from Queensland processors have remained at record highs this week, but there has been little evidence of any real response in terms of cattle supply…Read More

Jon Condon, November 17, 2020

Lotfeeding

Feedgrain Focus: Truck squeeze, weather support prices

Export demand and limited grower selling are helping to support prices this week as the market heeds a dry and extremely hot week ahead for south-eastern Australia which may prompt some harvest bans. ..Read More

Liz Wells, November 30, 2020

Feedgrain Focus: Saudi price lifts barley, wheat mixed

Prices in the latest Saudi tender have supported barley values, while wheat prices have softened in the south but firmed in the north…Read More

Liz Wells, November 23, 2020

Mort & Co in hunt for new greenfield feedlot development site

Queensland lotfeeder Mort & Co is in an expansionary mood, launching a campaign this morning to unearth a site for a new feedlot somewhere in eastern Australia to complement existing operations at Grassdale on Queensland’s Darling Downs, and Pinegrove, near Millmerran…Read More

Jon Condon, November 19, 2020

Sapphire feedlot expansion reflects growing grainfed industry confidence + VIDEOS

A recently completed expansion of Smithfield Cattle Co’s Sapphire feedlot near Goondiwindi is a good example of the long-term confidence being shown in grainfed operations in Eastern Australia, despite difficult trading conditions over the past couple of years…Read More

Jon Condon, November 18, 2020

Live Export

High export prices testing northern supply

High prices are still managing to lure cattle out of northern paddocks for live shipping orders, but how many cattle are still available and how much higher the market can rise to bring them forward is now the overriding question…Read More

James Nason, November 18, 2020

New executive team to lead Young Livestock Exporters Network

The Young Livestock Exporters Network (YLEN) has held its first annual general meeting, with a new executive team elected to build on the strong groundwork of the foundation committee, which was established last year. ..Read More

Beef Central, November 16, 2020

SE Asia Report: Indo cattle prices finally break above two year range

In a positive sign in Indonesia slaughter cattle prices have finally broken above the range they have been trading in for two years, while slaughter cattle prices in China have risen to almost AUD$8 per kg live…Read More

Dr Ross Ainsworth, November 12, 2020

Laporan Pasar: Industri Daging Sapi Asia Tenggara – Oktober 2020

Harga sapi potong di Cina melonjak mendekati AUD $8 per kg bobot hidup | Akhirnya, Indonesia berhasil menaikkan harga sapi potong | Harga sapi potong di Filipina melambung tinggi seiring pelonggaran aturan Covid…Read More

Dr Ross Ainsworth, November 12, 2020

Trade

Traceability grants available for ag supply chains

The Australian Government is encouraging applications from farming groups, research organisations and other eligible industry bodies for grants to support projects that enhance traceability in the agricultural produce supply chain…Read More

Beef Central, November 25, 2020

Macca’s Australian shopping list includes 31,900t of beef annually

Marking tomorrow’s National Agriculture Day activities, global burger giant McDonald’s has released its annual ‘shopping list’ for food commodities used to keep its 970 Australian stores in operation, including a whopping 31,900 tonnes of beef…Read More

Beef Central, November 20, 2020

Prominent supply chains share the honours in Perth’s branded beef awards

Entries from three states shared the major honours at the annual Perth Royal Branded Beef Competition decided on Friday…Read More

Jon Condon, November 17, 2020

Morrison Govt welcomes ‘world’s largest free trade agreement’

The Morrison Government says Australian farmers and businesses are set to benefit from better export opportunities following with the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement between Australia and 14 other Indo-Pacific countries on Sunday…Read More

Beef Central, November 16, 2020

Genetics

Selection pressure for temperament drives big shift in Limousins

Limousin cattle have made big inroads into temperament, since EBVs for docility were introduced in 2000, Breedplan data suggests…Read More

Beef Central, November 25, 2020

Response from outgoing AWA president & chair Mike Buchanan

Following Beef Central’s coverage of the recent Australian Wagyu Association board elections, immediate past president Mike Buchanan requested right of reply. Here is his response to some of the claims raised by the Concerned Members Group..Read More

Mike Buchanan*, November 17, 2020

Board spill ends turbulent period for Australian Wagyu Association

A period of conflict between some directors and members within the Australian Wagyu Association ended with a dramatic board spill during last week’s AWA annual general meeting…Read More

Jon Condon, November 9, 2020

Genetics: Balance essential, but in north fertility is key

A comprehensive study, drawing on the best available information on northern herd performance, business performance and genetics, has been undertaken to demonstrate the impact of genetic improvement of cow fertility on the bottom line of northern beef businesses…Read More

Beef Central, November 6, 2020

Ag Tech

Surgical robots may have application in red meat processing industry

Scientists are working to develop robotic principles that could help the red meat processing sector boost its global competitiveness – using technologies developed for use in human surgical procedures…Read More

Beef Central, November 25, 2020

Aussie start-up’s Wi-Fi solution picks up $500,000 prize in prestigious US agtech competition

An Australian company focused on resolving inadequate internet and phone connectivity in rural and remote parts of the country has claimed a US$500,000 prize in the hotly-contested US food and ag-tech competition, Grow-NY. ..Read More

Beef Central, November 24, 2020

World-first investigation raises ethical and policy challenges in using robots in agriculture

With automation poised to transform agriculture in Australia in the coming years, Monash University researchers have published the first-ever analysis of the ethical and policy issues raised by the use of robots in agriculture…Read More

Beef Central, November 22, 2020

Scientists develop ‘electronic nose’ to sniff out meat freshness

A team of scientists has invented an artificial olfactory system that mimics the mammalian nose to assess the freshness of meat accurately…Read More

Beef Central, November 11, 2020

Property

Determining long-term carrying capacity

Knowing the long-term carrying capacity of a property or paddock is essential information for managers of extensive grazing businesses. While it is a contentious issue, there is an established, evidence-based process for estimating long term carrying capacity…Read More

Ian McLean, Bush Agribusiness, November 25, 2020

Weekly property review: Late season surge in northern cattle listings

The end of the long dry season, before the arrival of the wet, may seem an unusual time for extensive Northern Australian cattle properties to be hitting the market, but a string of them have done so over the past few weeks. In this week’s property review, industry contacts look at what’s driving it…Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, November 25, 2020

60,000 head included in Maryfield/Limbunya NT offering

In one of the biggest stock offerings included in a property transaction in recent times, more than 60,000 head of Brahman cattle will be included in the offering of extensive NT grazing properties, Maryfield and Limbunya…Read More

Beef Central, November 23, 2020

Mort & Co in hunt for new greenfield feedlot development site

Queensland lotfeeder Mort & Co is in an expansionary mood, launching a campaign this morning to unearth a site for a new feedlot somewhere in eastern Australia to complement existing operations at Grassdale on Queensland’s Darling Downs, and Pinegrove, near Millmerran…Read More

Jon Condon, November 19, 2020

Sheep Central

NSW producers mulesing sheep without pain relief risk big fines

NEW South Wales producers mulesing sheep without pain relief could face the harshest cruelty penalties in Australia next year with the introduction of mooted fine increases...Read More

First cross ewes with lambs peak at $624 on AuctionsPlus

FIRST cross ewes with lambs sold to a new national record of $624 on AuctionsPlus last week as store sheep values faltered, although buyers continued to favour fertility and youth...Read More

Biosecurity is a family commitment at Kia Ora Merino

NO lice treatments for 10 years, no footrot and no Ovine Johne’s Disease risk — strict biosecurity has had to production advantages and reinforced the social licence of Finnigan Merino…..Read More

Livestock producers urged to make bushfire plans now

VICTORIAN farmers have been reminded of the importance of being prepared and having a bushfire plan in place for their livestock...Read More

Grain Central

Australia on track for near record 51.5Mt winter crop: ABARES

ABARES is forecasting a 76pc rise in Australia’s 2020-21 winter crop production to 51.5Mt, second only to the record 56.7Mt in 2016–17...Read More

Should Australia take China to the WTO over barley tariff?

Trade Minister Simon Birmingham has given a strong indication Australia will take China to the WTO over its import tariff on Australian barley. The move has prompted a mixed reaction..Read More

Squib buys Viterra Millicent sites for expanding canola crush

The Earl brothers' Squib Group has bought both Viterra sites in Millicent to increase canola storage for their expanding crushing plant, now the only one of its kind in South..Read More

Recruitment: Close link between staff satisfaction and ag business performance

The most successful farmers overseas have mastered staff retention and are considered ‘employers of choice’ in their industry and community, a former Nuffield scholar’s research suggests...Read More

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