Home - Beef Central

Weekly genetics review: Is the crossbreeding advantage being overlooked?

While the science behind crossbreeding remains sound, the level of commitment among commercial breeders appears to be declining. There appears to be a range of reasons for this, including the fact many producers are being “swamped with other messages, particularly around c/kg sale price,” genetics editor Alastair Rayner reports … ..Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner*, July 23, 2019

Processing

Feedback drives Gundagai Meat Processors’ move into DEXA

While some large red meat processors see DEXA scanning technology’s financial payback as being contingent on the application of robotics and automation, lamb processor Gundagai Meat Processsors is approaching adoption of DEXA scanning solely for performance feedback and plant efficiency purposes…Read More

Jon Condon, July 23, 2019

Weekly Kill Reports

Weekly kill: Grids reach highest point for the year, as numbers start to slide

A third consecutive week of processor grid price rises has seen cow and steer direct consignment rates across much of eastern Australia reach their highest point for the 2019 year…Read More

Jon Condon, July 23, 2019

Property

Rural property market set to come off the boil, says Rabobank

The heat is set to come out of Australia’s ‘on-fire’ agricultural land market – with increased property availability and decreasing farm operating profits forecast to slow price growth in the coming 18 months, lender Rabobank says…Read More

Beef Central, July 23, 2019

News

Future Drought Fund passes Parliament

The National Farmers’ Federation has heralded the passing of the Future Drought Fund in the House of Representatives overnight, which it says ushers in a new era in drought preparedness support for farmers…Read More

Beef Central, July 23, 2019

News

Prime time for feral pig control

Landholders are being urged to take the opportunity presented by drought to control pigs and reduce the risk of disease and stock feed losses. ..Read More

Beef Central, July 23, 2019

Markets

Wagga Sale 22 July: Market rises on tighter supply

Limited numbers of well finished stock impacted on prices with, most types of export and domestic cattle recording dearer trends…Read More

Leann Dax, July 23, 2019

Trade

Wholesale beef update: Mid-winter sees tough going on grilling cuts

Jon Condon, July 22, 2019

News

NSW Govt enacts hefty fines for farm invasion

Beef Central, July 22, 2019

Genetics

Learn more about Angus AI sire prospects via online ‘Spring Bull Night’

Beef Central, July 23, 2019

News

Tourism and hospitality investor to join AA Co board

Jon Condon, July 22, 2019

Markets

Murray Arnel: Prices surge in smaller Ballarat yarding

Murray Arnel, July 22, 2019

Lotfeeding

Feedgrain Focus: Limited grower selling supports new-crop

Liz Wells and Henry Wells, July 22, 2019

News

New domain looms for beef and lamb prices, Grasslands Society conference told

International meat broker and trade analyst Simon Quilty told delegates at the 60th annual Grassland Society of Southern Australia conference at Creswick VIC yesterday that Australian lamb and beef prices were “entering a new domain.”..Read More

Terry Sim, July 18, 2019

Property

Weekly Property Review: Recently completed sales

Sinclair Hill offloads one of his QLD holdings | Sinclair Hill offloads one of his Qld holdings | Aquaculture company secures CQ coastal property for $25-$30m | $14m secures brigalow grazing country | Grassed country snapped up prior to auction | District record $168/ha for Willcannia country..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, July 17, 2019

News

Tom Bull at ICMJ: Lessons from a livestock leader

Tom Bull didn’t have a farm to go home to when he graduated from ag college, and knew he would have to find his own way to succeed in agriculture. 20 years later, it seems safe to say he found it…Read More

James Nason, July 17, 2019

News

Charges laid over cattle yard theft

Detectives have charged a man after he allegedly stole portable panels from a set of cattle yards on a remote property in north west Queensland…Read More

Beef Central, July 22, 2019

Property

Movement at the Station – Recent property listings

Property editor Linda Rowley, July 17, 2019

News

Beef sustainability group backs tree cover accounting approach

The Australian Beef Sustainability Framework steering group says it strongly stands by the approach it uses to measure changes in tree cover in beef producing regions from year to year…Read More

James Nason, July 18, 2019

Live Export

Busy second half predicted for northern cattle exports

An agent close to the northern live export trade believes shipping activity could ramp up even more in the next six months – provided the cattle are there in a tight supply environment to meet available orders…Read More

James Nason, July 19, 2019

Trade

Beef provenance story celebrated in video already viewed by 69,000 people

The unique food story behind Australia’s pioneer organic beef company has been recognised in a spectacular new Tourism and Events Queensland video being shown around the world…Read More

Beef Central, July 17, 2019

News

Tourism and hospitality investor to join AA Co board

Dutch-American tourism and hospitality industry investor and executive, Marc Blazer, is set to join the Australian Agricultural Co board following its annual general meeting in Brisbane later this month…Read More

Jon Condon, July 22, 2019

Trade

Red meat tapping into red hot China demand

With China shifting into second place behind the US as Australia’s most valuable red meat export market (beef and sheepmeat combined), the activity around marketing, relationship building and education in-country has hit top gear…Read More

Beef Central, July 18, 2019

Industry Dashboard

$A / $US Graph

Updated 7am daily

Today

0.7000

Source: NAB

ASX Market Index

23 Jul 2019 (updated 10am daily)

Company	Price	Trending
Elders	$7.24
Australian Agricultural Co	$1.06
Graincorp	$8.73
Ruralco	$4.21
Ridley	$1.12
Woolworths	$34.65
Wellard	$0.04

Source: ASX

Beef Kill

Eastern States, weekly

Last Week

147318

Source: MLA's NLRS

EYCI

Eastern Young Cattle Indicator, c/kg

Today

523.25

Source: MLA's NLRS

90CL Cow

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

Today

697.2

Source: Steiner Consulting, MLA

Live Export

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

Today

295

Source: Trade contacts

SOI Graph

Southern Oscillation Index (SOI)

Today

-10.4

Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology

Feeder Steer Graph

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

Today

308.25

Source: MLA's NLRS

What readers are saying

Beef Central’s founders honoured with national industry accolade

Congratulations, James and Jon. It is wonderful to see your hard work and dedication to the industry acknowledged. Well-deserved!..

Désirée Jackson

Beef sustainability group backs tree cover accounting approach

As the Chair of the industry led Sustainability Steering Group for the Australian Beef Sustainability Framework, I wanted to clarify a few things from the comments above. Most importantly..

TESS HERBERT

Drought drives 2019 EU cattle premiums higher, AuctionsPlus says

Great article. We really need to push our lobbyists and federal government to access a greater portion of this lucrative market..

Jim Ives

Beef Central’s founders honoured with national industry accolade

Congratulations Jon and James - wonderful recognition of your vision, hard work and journalistic integrity - please do not drop the reins!..

Jim Cudmore

Future Drought Fund passes Parliament

Beef Central, July 23, 2019

Prime time for feral pig control

Landholders are being urged to take the opportunity presented by drought to control pigs and reduce the risk of disease and stock feed losses. ..Read More

Beef Central, July 23, 2019

NSW Govt enacts hefty fines for farm invasion

The New South Wales Government’s introduction of hefty new on-the-spot farm trespass fines targeting animal activists recognises the risk of biosecurity breaches caused by animal activists invading family farms, industry representative bodies say…Read More

Beef Central, July 22, 2019

Tourism and hospitality investor to join AA Co board

Jon Condon, July 22, 2019

Markets

Wagga Sale 22 July: Market rises on tighter supply

Limited numbers of well finished stock impacted on prices with, most types of export and domestic cattle recording dearer trends…Read More

Leann Dax, July 23, 2019

Murray Arnel: Prices surge in smaller Ballarat yarding

Prices bid for feeder and restocker cattle returned to the levels of last winter at this month’s Ballarat store cattle sale…Read More

Murray Arnel, July 22, 2019

Joined females in strong demand in larger AuctionsPlus offering

Buyer confidence remained strong on AuctionsPlus this week, with a 90pc clearance achieved across all commercial listings – particularly in the Eastern States Sale where joined females and cows with calves at foot sold well…Read More

Beef Central, July 19, 2019

Drought drives 2019 EU cattle premiums higher, AuctionsPlus says

The largest premiums for EU-eligible cattle sold on AuctionsPlus since 2012 have occurred this year, the online marketing platform reports. ..Read More

Tom Rookyard, AuctionsPlus, July 19, 2019

Production

Calf loss causes to headline Northern Beef Research Update Conference

Brisbane’s upcoming Northern Beef Research Update Conference will shine a light on the costly problem of peri-natal calf loss – a problem which costs the Australian beef industry an estimated $96.2 million each year. The conference ‘early-bird’ registration closes on Friday…Read More

Beef Central, July 17, 2019

Tips to improve MSA compliance for Queensland producers

As Queensland beef producers targeting Meat Standards Australia requirements face what is historically the most challenging time of the year for meeting compliance, some timely tips to help improve compliance have been compiled for producers…Read More

Beef Central, July 12, 2019

Study shows potential for reduced methane from cows

An international team of scientists has shown it is possible to breed cattle to reduce their methane emissions…Read More

Beef Central, July 11, 2019

New-look farm biosecurity website

Sourcing information on how to secure your farm against diseases, pests and weeds has been made easier, with land and livestock managers now having improved access to a vast suite of resources on the Farm Biosecurity website…Read More

Beef Central, July 11, 2019

Processing

Feedback drives Gundagai Meat Processors’ move into DEXA

Jon Condon, July 23, 2019

Weekly kill: Grids reach highest point for the year, as numbers start to slide

A third consecutive week of processor grid price rises has seen cow and steer direct consignment rates across much of eastern Australia reach their highest point for the 2019 year…Read More

Jon Condon, July 23, 2019

Weekly kill: Processor grids rise for second consecutive week – is the wind shifting?

A second round of processor grid price rises has occurred across parts of eastern states this week, in what may turn out to be the start of the much anticipated fundamental shift in the slaughter cattle supply/demand/price equation, following 18 months of severe drought…Read More

Jon Condon, July 16, 2019

Weekly kill: Grids rise 10-15c in parts of Queensland, a little less in the south

Processor direct consignment grid offers have lifted sharply in Queensland over the past few days, while smaller rises have also been seen in parts of southern Australia…Read More

Jon Condon, July 9, 2019

Lotfeeding

Feedgrain Focus: Limited grower selling supports new-crop

Rain in the past week has helped to consolidate yield prospects for many southern crops and prompted some selling of stored grain, but new-crop feedgrain rates are holding as the market eyes limited production prospects in northern regions…Read More

Liz Wells and Henry Wells, July 22, 2019

Loss narrows to $19/head in latest grainfed trading budget

Forward pricing on grainfed slaughter cattle for late October delivery has hit equal-record levels, pushing Beef Central’s latest 100-day grained trading budget result calculated on Thursday much closer to breakeven…Read More

Jon Condon, July 15, 2019

No weightgain compromise in feeder steer pre-vaccination, research shows

New research by Charles Sturt University (Charles Sturt) has scotched fears that pre-feedlot vaccination of steers is costing beef producers money because of weight loss in the weeks following the jab…Read More

Beef Central, July 15, 2019

Feedgrain Focus: Prices drop $10/tonne on US softness, WA rain

Bearish factors including the recent tumble in US grain futures’ values have overpowered the chronic deficit of local grain in Queensland and New South Wales to see values ease by $10 per tonne in this week’s feedgrain market…Read More

Liz Wells, July 8, 2019

Live Export

Busy second half predicted for northern cattle exports

James Nason, July 19, 2019

SE Asia Report: Importers stock up ahead of tighter feeder supplies

Strong Indonesian feeder imports occured in June in anticipation of a lean second half of 2019, while Indonesian supplies of Indian beef have dried up, writes Southeast Asia market columnist, Dr Ross Ainsworth…Read More

Dr Ross Ainsworth, July 16, 2019

Laporan Pasar: Industri Daging Sapi Asia Tenggara – Juni 2019

Kuatnya impor sapi bakalan Indonesia pada bulan Juni menimbun persediaan untuk paruh 2019..Read More

Dr Ross Ainsworth, July 16, 2019

Wellard sells ship to Heytesbury

Wellard Limted has this afternoon announced it is selling one of its live export vessels to major shareholder Heytesbury Company. ..Read More

Beef Central, July 4, 2019

Trade

Wholesale beef update: Mid-winter sees tough going on grilling cuts

A ring around some of the nation’s largest red meat wholesalers this morning confirmed that mid-winter trade in grilling cuts is tough enough, but slow cooking items are in very solid demand. Grilling cuts, perhaps with the exception of rumps, are at least $2-$3/kg off the pace from where they sat three or four months ago at the end of summer…Read More

Jon Condon, July 22, 2019

Red meat tapping into red hot China demand

Beef Central, July 18, 2019

Beef provenance story celebrated in video already viewed by 69,000 people

The unique food story behind Australia’s pioneer organic beef company has been recognised in a spectacular new Tourism and Events Queensland video being shown around the world…Read More

Beef Central, July 17, 2019

Aussie entries perform with distinction in World Steak Challenge

Australian entries have performed exceptionally well, earning two major championships and 36 gold, silver and bronze medals in the 2019 World Steak Challenge decided in Dublin, Ireland overnight…Read More

Jon Condon, July 11, 2019

Genetics

Weekly genetics review: Is the crossbreeding advantage being overlooked?

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner*, July 23, 2019

Learn more about Angus AI sire prospects via online ‘Spring Bull Night’

Adopting a concept that is widely used in the dairy industry, Angus Australia will host a virtual ‘Spring Bull Night’ via social media next month, allowing producers to engage and source information as they make decisions for upcoming AI programs…Read More

Beef Central, July 23, 2019

Weekly genetics review: Have a measured approach to setting a budget when buying bulls

Determining the budget for genetic improvement within a herd often challenges many producers. As an advisor to commercial and seedstock breeders, Genetics Central editor Al Rayner says he is frequently asked for advice on realistic budgets for bulls. “The process of setting budgets often appears to be overlooked by many producers,” he says…Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner*, July 16, 2019

Weekly genetics review: A challenging spring bull selling season ahead

As the 2019 spring bull selling season commences across Northern NSW and into Queensland, the consensus among seedstock breeders is that this will be a challenging year for sales. The ongoing impact of drought continues to drive herd reductions as producers grapple with water shortages and scarce feed supplies. ..Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, July 9, 2019

Ag Tech

Agtech: Cattle sales using immersive technology on the horizon

Immersive technology can be used as a tool to build trust between livestock buyers and sellers, AuctionsPlus chief executive officer Angus Street told a conference in Melbourne on Thursday. AuctionsPlus is planning to hold livestock sales using immersive technology within 12 months, but not initially for commercial sheep or cattle sales…Read More

Terry Sim, July 16, 2019

Immersive technologies allow community members to truly ‘feel farming’

Tim Gentle knows now that people in the broader community want to ‘touch’ agriculture, and he believes immersive technologies like virtual reality are the answer to people truly ‘feeling farming.’..Read More

Terry Sim, July 11, 2019

Immersive Technology shifting community understanding of red meat industry

More than 50,000 people around the country have an improved understanding of Australia red meat production system for Beef and Lamb now thanks to the devleopment of the MLA’s Paddock to Plate virtual reality campaign in 2017…Read More

Beef Central, July 10, 2019

750,000 podcasts – here’s 5 for Aussie cattle producers

To try to make the job of finding relevant content a little easier for you we’ve come up with a list of five podcasts that we think have plenty to interest for Australian cattle producers…Read More

Beef Central, June 28, 2019

Property

Rural property market set to come off the boil, says Rabobank

Beef Central, July 23, 2019

Weekly Property Review: Recently completed sales

Property editor Linda Rowley, July 17, 2019

Movement at the Station – Recent property listings

Property editor Linda Rowley, July 17, 2019

China’s Rifa Salutory to sell its Australian grazing operations

One of the biggest recent Chinese investors in Australian land and cattle, Rifa Salutary, has decided to sell its agricultural production business in Australia. Consisting of 44,000ha of prime red meat production land and about 20,000 quality cattle across northern NSW and Victoria, the business will go to market in coming weeks…Read More

Beef Central, July 12, 2019