Home - Beef Central

Ag achievers recognised in 2020 Australia Day awards

A former National Farmers Federation president, the current AgForce Queensland president, and Australia’s first indigenous woman to manage a cattle station station are among identities from the agricultural sector to receive Australia Day Awards in 2020…Read More

Beef Central, January 26, 2020

News

Small steps, as NT begins rebuilding process after two years of savage drought

Small inflows of livestock are likely to be directed into the Northern Territory pastoral zone over coming months, as the region begins its long and arduous recovery phase after two years of severe drought…Read More

Jon Condon, January 24, 2020

Property

NAPCo confirms purchase of Clark & Tait’s Mantuan Downs + VIDEO

In one of Queensland’s biggest property sales seen in the past 12 months, the North Australian Pastoral Co has confirmed its purchase of extensive Central Queensland grazing property Mantuan Downs near Springsure…Read More

Jon Condon, January 24, 2020

Live Export

Nutrien sells Landmark International live export business

Ownership of one of Southern Australia’s largest livestock exporting operations has changed hands with Nutrien Ag Solutions announcing the sale today of its Landmark International business…Read More

James Nason, January 24, 2020

Lotfeeding

Feedgrain Focus: Prices hold after rain

Prices for wheat and barley have firmed in the past week, with patchy rain across eastern Australia’s summer-cropping regions doing nothing to alter the domestic supply outlook over coming months…Read More

Liz Wells and Henry Wells, January 24, 2020

Markets

Dubbo sale 23 Jan 2020: Quality drives dearer market despite dust

All sections were dearer in a much better-quality yarding on a day that could only be described as dreadful with hot gusty winds and a genuine solid dust storm…Read More

David Monk, January 24, 2020

Recruitment

Recruitment: How to improve employee engagement

Employee engagement levels can have a significant impact on the productivity and overall success of operations in any industry. Because most projects rely on continuity and collaboration between workers with different kinds of skills, it is necessary for them to be fully engaged in order to be most efficient. Here’s some tips for improving employee engagement…Read More

Beef Central, January 24, 2020

News

Bushfire livestock loss estimates downgraded

Jon Condon, January 23, 2020

Nutrition

How plant-based meat scientists tried to block pro-red meat study

Beef Central, January 23, 2020

Markets

EYCI’s sharp rise driven by recent rain

Beef Central, January 23, 2020

Trade

Not exactly vegetarian, nor animal protein: Meet flexitarian food

Jon Condon, January 23, 2020

Markets

Dalby sale 22 Jan 2020: Rain lifts most classes

Beef Central, January 23, 2020

Processing

AMG completes deal to purchase Cootamundra abattoir

Jon Condon, January 22, 2020

Processing

AMG completes deal to purchase Cootamundra abattoir

Veteran meat processor Joe Catalfamo’s Australian Meat Group has confirmed its purchase of the mothballed Cootamundra beef and sheepmeat abattoir on the NSW southwest slopes…Read More

Jon Condon, January 22, 2020

Property

NAPCo confirms purchase of Clark & Tait’s Mantuan Downs + VIDEO

Jon Condon, January 24, 2020

News

Bushfire livestock loss estimates downgraded

Estimates of livestock losses caused by Eastern Australia’s December/January bushfires have been downgraded…Read More

Jon Condon, January 23, 2020

Nutrition

How plant-based meat scientists tried to block pro-red meat study

NEW light has been shed on the lengths taken by scientists with links to the plant-based-meat movement last year to – unsuccessfully – block the publication of scientific research which highlighted the weakness of evidence behind recommendations to eat less meat…Read More

Beef Central, January 23, 2020

Live Export

Nutrien sells Landmark International live export business

James Nason, January 24, 2020

News

Small steps, as NT begins rebuilding process after two years of savage drought

Jon Condon, January 24, 2020

Processing

Weekly kill: Rain impact yet to be reflected in processor grids

Widespread, if somewhat patchy rain across eastern Australia is yet to be reflected in processor grid price movements this week, but a number of major operators conceded this morning that they are ‘evaluating’ their current supply position…Read More

Jon Condon, January 21, 2020

Trade

Woolworths, Coles grow fresh meat market share, at the expense of butchers

Dominant national supermarket retailers Woolworths and Coles continue to grow their fresh meat market share, mostly at the expense independent retail butchers, recent surveys conducted by Roy Morgan show…Read More

Beef Central, January 22, 2020

News

Police investigate hay fraud targeting farmers

Police have received numerous reports of a person advertising hay bales on social media for a discounted price, and taking an initial deposit but not delivering any product…Read More

Beef Central, January 22, 2020

News

Webinar: What does US/China trade deal mean for global meat trade?

The implications for the global meat industry from last week’s phase-one trade agreement between the US and China will come under scrutiny in a webinar being held on Thursday morning…Read More

Beef Central, January 21, 2020

Industry Dashboard

$A / $US Graph

Updated 7am daily

Today

0.6850

Source: NAB

ASX Market Index

27 Jan 2020 (updated 10am daily)

Company	Price	Trending
Elders	$7.31
Australian Agricultural Co	$1.10
Graincorp	$8.51
Ridley	$1.06
Woolworths	$40.96
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

548.25

Source: MLA's NLRS

90CL Cow

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

Today

708.3

Source: Steiner Consulting, MLA

Live Export

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

Today

335

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

MLA moves to longer-term bushfire rebuild response

This sounds like policy on the run. Why is MLA even in this space policy is for the PICs. The MLA board needs rein-in this populist behaviour eg free....

Howard Smith

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

For me, two big questions remain after the phase 1 deal: 1) When will the US be able to export HGP treated beef to China? Documentation seems to suggest within....

Mark

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

Ag achievers recognised in 2020 Australia Day awards

Beef Central, January 26, 2020

Small steps, as NT begins rebuilding process after two years of savage drought

Jon Condon, January 24, 2020

Recruitment: How to improve employee engagement

Beef Central, January 24, 2020

Bushfire livestock loss estimates downgraded

Estimates of livestock losses caused by Eastern Australia’s December/January bushfires have been downgraded…Read More

Jon Condon, January 23, 2020

Markets

Dubbo sale 23 Jan 2020: Quality drives dearer market despite dust

All sections were dearer in a much better-quality yarding on a day that could only be described as dreadful with hot gusty winds and a genuine solid dust storm…Read More

David Monk, January 24, 2020

EYCI’s sharp rise driven by recent rain

The Eastern Young Cattle Indicator has started 2020 with a sharp rise, lifting 33c/kg in the past week off the back of widespread rainfall across New South Wales and Queensland…Read More

Beef Central, January 23, 2020

Dalby sale 22 Jan 2020: Rain lifts most classes

Steer and heifer calves improved the most, while light weight yearling steers returning to the paddock averaged 31c/kg better…Read More

Beef Central, January 23, 2020

Roma store sale 21 Jan 2020: Steers dominate bigger yarding

Confidence improved after the recent widespread but varied rainfall across the supply area…Read More

Beef Central, January 22, 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

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

AMG completes deal to purchase Cootamundra abattoir

Veteran meat processor Joe Catalfamo’s Australian Meat Group has confirmed its purchase of the mothballed Cootamundra beef and sheepmeat abattoir on the NSW southwest slopes…Read More

Jon Condon, January 22, 2020

Weekly kill: Rain impact yet to be reflected in processor grids

Jon Condon, January 21, 2020

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

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

Lotfeeding

Feedgrain Focus: Prices hold after rain

Liz Wells and Henry Wells, January 24, 2020

How plant-based meat scientists tried to block pro-red meat study

Beef Central, January 23, 2020

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

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

Live Export

Nutrien sells Landmark International live export business

James Nason, January 24, 2020

Australia’s largest cattle export port status for 2019 goes down to wire

The port of Townsville came within a shipment or so of becoming Australia’s largest cattle export port in 2019, official trade data for the year shows…Read More

James Nason, January 20, 2020

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

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

Trade

Not exactly vegetarian, nor animal protein: Meet flexitarian food

Blended animal protein and plant-based products that align with the so-called flexitarian diet principles are increasingly finding their way onto supermarket shelves in Australia and overseas. ..Read More

Jon Condon, January 23, 2020

Woolworths, Coles grow fresh meat market share, at the expense of butchers

Beef Central, January 22, 2020

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

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

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