Sunday 18 April 2021
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Markets

Buyers showing signs of hesitancy at current market levels in online trading

AuctionsPlus cattle offerings increased a further 13pc this week to 22,234 head, with prices fluctuating on the previous week, as buyers appeared to be hesitant at current market levels for the proven breeding lines…Read More

Beef Central, April 17, 2021

Processing

Meat yield and potential traceability gains in Nolan Meats’ new $20m boning room

Queensland export and domestic beef processor Nolan meats yesterday unveiled its expanded and modernised boning room, featuring technology that is already delivering results in increasing carcase yield, and laying a platform for individual cuts traceability…Read More

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Jon Condon, April 16, 2021

Lotfeeding

Feedgrain Focus: Transport squeeze lifts prices

Prices for feedgrain have rallied this week as a shortage of available trucks leaves domestic consumers battling to book deliveries, but cottonseed prices have eased on improved production prospects for this and next year. ..Read More

Liz Wells, April 16, 2021

Processing

Red meat R&D: Magnetic conveying could leverage high-speed train technology for beef processing

Readers who are familiar with Japan’s famous Shinkansen bullet trains may have also heard about the magnetic conveying system the service uses – an incredible technology that zips Japanese commuters from one stop to the next at breathtaking speeds. But speed is not the only advantage of magnetic conveying, and research is now looking at how the technology might fit into the red meat processing sector…Read More

Beef Central, April 16, 2021

Recruitment

Recruitment: How to give (and take) constructive criticism in the workplace

If you’re a manager, supervisor, team leader or any type of boss working in the meat and livestock industry, there will be times when you will have to give feedback to employees. Sometimes it will be positive and sometimes not, so you might like to consider how it is delivered…Read More

Beef Central, April 16, 2021

Ag Tech

Mustering safely with drones at Beeac + VIDEO

Victcorian farmers Tom and Bill Alston use drones to take some of the stress and injury risk out of mustering sheep and cattle on their Beeac property in the state’s south-west…Read More

Beef Central, April 16, 2021

News

Applications open for Biodiversity Stewardship Scheme

Cattle producers can now apply to take part in the Federal Government’s Agriculture Stewardship Carbon + Biodiversity Pilot Program…Read More

Beef Central, April 16, 2021

Markets

EYCI cracks record 900c – but is it sustainable?
Jon Condon, April 15, 2021

Live Export

March cattle exports slip to 55,073 head
Beef Central, April 15, 2021

News

NT cattle producers welcome drought hub announcement
Beef Central, April 15, 2021

Property

Vale Lex Heinemann
2
Jon Condon, April 15, 2021

The Weekly Grill

Episode 5: Arcadian Organic’s Alister Ferguson
Beef Central, April 15, 2021

News

LifeFlight Rescue airlifts man struck by cattle yard gate
Beef Central, April 15, 2021

Industry Dashboard

$A / $US Graph

Updated 7am daily
Today
0.7730
Source: NAB

ASX Market Index

18 Apr 2021 (updated 10am daily)
Company Price Trending
Elders $12.60
Australian Agricultural Co $1.17
Graincorp $5.28
Ridley $1.14
Woolworths $42.09
Wellard $0.06
Source: ASX

Beef Kill

Eastern States, weekly

Last Week

76183
Source: MLA's NLRS

EYCI

Eastern Young Cattle Indicator, c/kg

Today

901.75
Source: MLA's NLRS

90CL Cow

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

Today

658.1
Source: Steiner Consulting, MLA

Live Export

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

Today

430
Source: Trade contacts

SOI Graph

Southern Oscillation Index (SOI)

Today

-0.13
Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology

Feeder Steer Graph

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

Today

413.2
Source: MLA's NLRS

What readers are saying

Vale Lex Heinemann

Sad news, did a lot of business with Lex and he was great to deal with. Hell of a nice fellow too! RIP....

Will Abel Smith
More
Govt must rule out massive truck rego hike: Trucking Association

This extra registration and restrictions will end up costing the consumer money. I doubt whether it will alter the carbon footprint one iota considering that China and India are....

veronica winterton
More
Weekly rainfall wrap + rain outlook, 14 April 2021

Why does it always rain at places no one has ever heard of? Of all the places quoted above, Weipa is the only one I have knowingly visited, and....

John A. Mohr-Bell
More
Weekly genetics review: Getting to grips with temperament

I would suggest that flight speed is only one measure of temperament And my experience is that animals increase their flight speed with repeated passes and the short distance (....

Charles Nason
More

News

Recruitment: How to give (and take) constructive criticism in the workplace

If you’re a manager, supervisor, team leader or any type of boss working in the meat and livestock industry, there will be times when you will have to give feedback to employees. Sometimes it will be positive and sometimes not, so you might like to consider how it is delivered…Read More

Beef Central, April 16, 2021

Applications open for Biodiversity Stewardship Scheme

Cattle producers can now apply to take part in the Federal Government’s Agriculture Stewardship Carbon + Biodiversity Pilot Program…Read More

Beef Central, April 16, 2021

NT cattle producers welcome drought hub announcement

The Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association (NTCA) has welcomed today’s announcement of $8m in funding to support the development of a northern NT/WA drought hub in Darwin…Read More

Beef Central, April 15, 2021

LifeFlight Rescue airlifts man struck by cattle yard gate

The Bundaberg RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter has airlifted a man, after he was injured while herding cattle, in the Gladstone region, this morning…Read More

Beef Central, April 15, 2021

Markets

Buyers showing signs of hesitancy at current market levels in online trading

AuctionsPlus cattle offerings increased a further 13pc this week to 22,234 head, with prices fluctuating on the previous week, as buyers appeared to be hesitant at current market levels for the proven breeding lines…Read More

Beef Central, April 17, 2021

EYCI cracks record 900c – but is it sustainable?

The national cattle industry benchmark, the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator pushed beyond 900c/kg for the first time yesterday, but current trading levels may be hard to sustain, evidence suggests.  ..Read More

Jon Condon, April 15, 2021

Dalby sale 7 April 2021: Strong demand in bigger yarding

Light weight yearling steers returning to the paddock averaged 18c/kg better. Yearling steers to feed the domestic market averaged 4c/kg dearer…Read More

Beef Central, April 15, 2021

Roma store sale 13 April 2021: Steers dominate larger yarding

Demand remained strong across the yarding with price fluctuation reflective of quality variations…Read More

James Nason, April 14, 2021

Production

Six ways industry research is aiming to drive northern cattle productivity gains

Meat & Livestock Australia managing director Jason Strong provided updates on six key research programs aimed at driving northern profitability at Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association conference in Alice Springs on Friday…Read More

James Nason, March 29, 2021

Chemical control option approved for use on grasshoppers

With recent reports of grasshoppers sweeping areas of western Queensland in plague proportions, a chemical treatment has been approved for emergency use on pastures of the state’s Mitchell grass region…Read More

Beef Central, March 11, 2021

Fertility boost is proof in the P pudding for Torrens Creek producers

North Queensland beef producers Peter and Anne Finlay know that to get the most out of their country they can’t ignore the importance of phosphorous supplementation, so they take a year‑round approach to providing this important trace mineral for their cattle…Read More

Beef Central, March 9, 2021

Live weight gain results from Fairview leucaena trial + PICS

More than 100 graziers, agronomists, service providers and extension staff visited Bruce and Lucinda Mayne’s Calliope, Qld, property ‘Fairview’ recently to see the results of a live weight gain trial on leucaena paddocks…Read More

Beef Central, March 5, 2021

Processing

Meat yield and potential traceability gains in Nolan Meats’ new $20m boning room

Queensland export and domestic beef processor Nolan meats yesterday unveiled its expanded and modernised boning room, featuring technology that is already delivering results in increasing carcase yield, and laying a platform for individual cuts traceability…Read More

Jon Condon, April 16, 2021

Red meat R&D: Magnetic conveying could leverage high-speed train technology for beef processing

Readers who are familiar with Japan’s famous Shinkansen bullet trains may have also heard about the magnetic conveying system the service uses – an incredible technology that zips Japanese commuters from one stop to the next at breathtaking speeds. But speed is not the only advantage of magnetic conveying, and research is now looking at how the technology might fit into the red meat processing sector…Read More

Beef Central, April 16, 2021

TFI launches $10m automated lamb boning project at Tamworth

Australian meat processor Thomas Foods International has awarded a $10 million automated lamb boning systems contract to New Zealand’s Scott Technology Ltd…Read More

Beef Central, April 14, 2021

Weekly kill: Grids steady, as first hint of winter approaches

Direct consignment price grids are largely unchanged across eastern and southern Australia this week, as country starts to dry out after earlier rain and the first glimpse of winter appears on the horizon…Read More

Jon Condon, April 13, 2021

Lotfeeding

Feedgrain Focus: Transport squeeze lifts prices

Prices for feedgrain have rallied this week as a shortage of available trucks leaves domestic consumers battling to book deliveries, but cottonseed prices have eased on improved production prospects for this and next year. ..Read More

Liz Wells, April 16, 2021

Feedgrain Focus: Prices soften despite subdued selling

Prices for feedgrain have softened over the Easter week by up to $10 per tonne as consumers price in the Northern Hemisphere inverse from July onward, and planting of eastern Australia’s winter crop gathers pace in mostly ideal conditions…Read More

Liz Wells, April 9, 2021

Australia’s Top 10 biggest grain-use sites revealed

Flour mills, feed mills and malting plants all sit behind Manildra Group’s Shoalhaven Starches plant in the Grain Central list of Australia’s Top 10 grain-use sites…Read More

Liz Wells, April 6, 2021

Feedgrain Focus: Quality issues impact north

Sorghum 1 prices have firmed on limited nearby supply, but weather-damaged grades are struggling to find a market, and sell-side pressure in the north on wheat and barley is not being seen in the south…Read More

Liz Wells, April 6, 2021

Live Export

March cattle exports slip to 55,073 head

Australian cattle export volumes slipped to 55,073 in March, well below the rolling  five year average for the month of 82,955 head…Read More

Beef Central, April 15, 2021

NZ bans cattle exports by sea, with two-year phase out

The New Zealand Government has this morning announced a ban on live cattle exports by sea, with a two-year period to phase out the trade…Read More

Beef Central, April 14, 2021

New season test for northern live export prices

Northern export cattle prices have softened from record highs, albeit slightly, as the annual nexus arrives between new season supply coming on and the passing of the traditional pre-Ramadan rush on demand in Indonesia…Read More

James Nason, April 13, 2021

The rise, fall and rise again of Australia’s cattle trade to Vietnam

Australia’s cattle export trade to Vietnam has grown quietly but surely in recent years, to the surprising point where it almost surpassed Indonesia as Australia’s highest value cattle export market last year…Read More

James Nason, April 8, 2021

Trade

US beef price rally augurs well for grinding meat exports

There’s a more positive mood emerging in export beef trade circles this week, as a strong rally in US grinding meat prices lifts spirits somewhat, after what has been a particularly bleak trading period. Imported grinding beef prices have hit levels unseen since panic buying in the US in May last year, when up to 40pc of US processing capacity was knocked out due to COVID measures…Read More

Jon Condon, April 13, 2021

Holy Cow beef rinds turn cattle hides into snacks

Two business partners in the US have begun repurposing cow hides into a snack product…Read More

Beef Central, April 13, 2021

March beef exports hit ten-year lows

Continuing a trend seen since late last year, Australia’s March beef exports totalled just 83,438 tonnes – down 11pc year-on-year, and hitting a ten-year in-month low…Read More

Jon Condon, April 7, 2021

Modern-day ‘Suez Crisis’ disrupts world trade

The six-day blockage of the Suez Canal by the MV Ever Given is expected to put upward pressure on bulk and container sea freight as shipping lines factor in wait times for some vessels and lengthened routes for others…Read More

Grain Brokers Australia, March 30, 2021

Genetics

Weekly genetics review: Getting to grips with temperament

This week’s genetics review focuses on temperament – and the point that it can’t just be improved on selection alone. Temperament is moderately heritable, which means if producers don’t think about on-farm practices, any genetic gains won’t count for much…Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, April 13, 2021

Webinar: The role of reference populations in genetic evaluation for beef cattle

In this upcoming webinar presented by FutureBeef and Beef Central, AGBU scientist Dr Matt Wolcott examines the role of genomic information in modern genetic evaluation and discusses how breeds and breeders can identify traits for which intensive recording strategies will yield the greatest benefit…Read More

Beef Central, April 13, 2021

Weekly genetics review: Making more informed heifer selection decisions

Decisions on heifer selection and retention for breeding are never ones to be taken lightly. A heifer represents not only the next generation of breeding potential for a herd, but she also reflects the prior investment in genetics, as well as determining the productivity and profitability of the herd for most of the next decade. Choosing which heifers to retain can be an issue for both seedstock and commercial producers, for various reasons…Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, April 6, 2021

Information-packed conference program for Wagyu Edge 2021

The Australian Wagyu industry’s annual Wagyu Edge conference has assembled an outstanding lineup of speakers for this year’s event, being held on the Gold Coast later this month as a precursor to the Beef 2021 event in Rockhampton. Attracting between 400 and 600 delegates annually, Wagyu Edge claims to be the largest annual conference on the beef industry calendar, and is arguably the Wagyu sector’s leading global event…Read More

Beef Central, April 6, 2021

Ag Tech

Mustering safely with drones at Beeac + VIDEO

Victcorian farmers Tom and Bill Alston use drones to take some of the stress and injury risk out of mustering sheep and cattle on their Beeac property in the state’s south-west…Read More

Beef Central, April 16, 2021

Levy funded research from 15 RDCs now searchable in one place

Farmers, researchers and businesses can now see levy funded research from all the Research and Development Corporations in one location…Read More

Beef Central, April 12, 2021

NSW, Vic farmers invited to trial Wi-Fi calling under Federal trial

Australian wireless networking company Zetifi has issued a call out for farmers in New South Wales and northern Victoria to express their interest in trialling Wi-Fi calling as part of a Federal Government-backed program to provide improved phone services for rural and remote areas…Read More

Beef Central, February 23, 2021

Agtech briefs: Beef production forecasting tool picks up $10,000 grant; US expansion for Aussie agtech success-story

A software development company based in remote Mareeba in far North Queensland has earned a $10,000 NBN grant for its beef production forecasting tool. In other agtech news, Australian developed livestock management software provider AgriWebb has announced its launch in the US…Read More

Beef Central, February 10, 2021

Property

Vale Lex Heinemann

Rural property marketing legend Lex Heinemann passed away suddenly yesterday after a heart attack, aged 80. Spanning more than 50 years, Mr Heinemann forged a career as a deal-maker without peer in the northern Australian rural property marketing space..Read More

Jon Condon, April 15, 2021

Weekly property review: Recently completed sales

Two unique NT properties sell for between $8m and $9m | Goondiwindi family snaps up Texas country | Downs grain/grazing farms make competitive rates at auction..Read More

Guest Author, April 14, 2021

Movement at the station: Properties for sale

Western QLD producers chase grass on Sandalwood | Strong inquiry for Central QLD’s Berrigurra | Abundant feed in picturesque northern NSW |Block overlooking Brisbane’s main water source | Diversity on offer at St George | Scenic grazing in QLD’s south east | Adjoining Tumut breeding blocks offered separately | Mungindi country returns to the market..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, April 14, 2021

Weekly property review: How can younger, entry-level producers get a start?

This week’s property review looks at how young people looking to establish a foothold in the cattle industry should approach land purchasing opportunities, and some examples of specialised government loans available to young stakeholders starting out in the cattle business…Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, April 7, 2021

Sheep Central

Costing a national sheep EID system is one thing…

A MAJOR livestock tag manufacturer believes a national electronic identification system for sheep and goats could be quickly costed without an expensive inquiry or consultation process...Read More

Ouyen saleyards upgrade set to lift capacity

VICTORIAN Mallee town Ouyen expects to increase its sheep saleyard throughput after a $111,000-plus upgrade that was officially opened yesterday...Read More

Fine Merino wool in demand at post-Easter auction sales

FINE Merino fleece prices improved in national auctions this week, reaching a two-year high for 17 micron wool in Melbourne, as sales resumed after the annual one-week Easter recess...Read More

Sheepvention scaled back to Sheep Connect event

HAMILTON’S popular Sheepvention expo will be replaced with a smaller single event over two days in August, organisers said today...Read More

Grain Central

Riverina rice harvest heralds industry revival

The largest rice harvest in three years is underway in the NSW Riverina where the industry is regaining its feet after drought slashed farm production over the previous two seasons...Read More

What does the rising oil price mean for agriculture?

The oil price has returned to pre-COVID levels which is a good signal of economic recovery, but the question is, how does this impact agriculture?..Read More

Bunge buys into Australian Plant Proteins

Bunge has bought a stake in high-level pulse processor Australian Plant Proteins in a move which mirrors an investment made last year in Canada's Merit Functional Foods...Read More

New glyphosate resistance mechanism discovered in plants

In a world-first breakthrough for research into herbicide resistance, a team of Australian and international scientists has discovered a new glyphosate resistance mechanism in plants...Read More

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