Home - Beef Central

Updated: Webinars and online events for beef industry stakeholders

A rolling list of upcoming webinars and video conferencing events of relevance to Australia’s beef and cattle industry…Read More

Beef Central, October 27, 2020

Weather

Weekly rainfall wrap + rain outlook, 28 Oct 2020

Surface troughs and a low pressure system triggered widespread thunderstorms across the eastern half of Australia.
Thunderstorms produced moderate falls in the Northern Territory…Read More

Bureau of Meteorology, October 28, 2020

Genetics

Weekly genetics review: Are breeders setting the right starting price for sale bulls?

Any discussion about price, particularly when it comes to bulls, is always a certain way to ignite a conversation among cattle people. Genetics editor Alastair Rayner examines whether it might be time to re-evaluate the ‘starting price’ of bulls sold in auctions across the country. ..Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, October 27, 2020

Genetics

Unprecedented collaboration in beef cattle genetic improvement

In one of his recent columns, genetics editor Al Rayner wrote about the broadening options open to bull breeders in performance recording, with some Australian breeds in recent times moving from BreedPlan to the International Genetics Solutions (IGS) program. In this article, IGS director of science and education, Dr Jackie Atkins, offers her perspective about the merits of the IGS system and where it is heading..Read More

Beef Central, October 27, 2020

Processing

Weekly kill: Grids maintain blistering pace, but supply remains constricted

Direct consignment slaughter cattle offers from processors across eastern Australia have maintained their blistering pace this week, but there’s been little or no effect on supply…Read More

Jon Condon, October 27, 2020

Live Export

Cattle ship stocking density rates to remain unchanged from November 1

The Federal Minister for Agriculture has this afternoon confirmed to industry leaders that amendments to ASEL 3.0 will mean that current stocking densities will now remain in place from November 1…Read More

James Nason, October 27, 2020

Property

Chinese could draw the curtains on historic Tassie property

Australia’s largest dairy operation, Tasmania’s historic Van Diemen’s Land Company, is reportedly on the verge of being offloaded by its Chinese businessman owner Xianfeng Lu…Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, October 27, 2020

Property

Local farmer consortium outlays $80m for Victoria’s Banongill station

Beef Central, October 27, 2020

News

Herd rebuild buoyed by anticipated summer rain

Beef Central, October 27, 2020

Ag Tech

WEBINAR: AgTech Month – making digital systems work for your business

Beef Central, October 27, 2020

Markets

Wagga sale 26 Oct 2020: Feedlots into action

Leann Dax, October 27, 2020

Markets

Records fall again in 17,186 head AuctionsPlus offering

Beef Central, October 26, 2020

Production

NYT breaks mould with science-based article on beef industry’s methane efforts

Beef Central, October 25, 2020

Property

Local farmer consortium outlays $80m for Victoria’s Banongill station

Agricultural fund manager, Laguna Bay has agreed to sell its flagship Victorian Western District cropping and livestock holding, Banongill Station, for a figure around $80 million to a consortium of local farming families…Read More

Beef Central, October 27, 2020

News

Alternatives being sought for ‘1990s era’ NLIS technology, Senate Estimates told

Early background research is being conducted into possible alternatives to ‘1990s era’ animal traceability technology currently in use across the red meat industry, MLA managing director Jason Strong told a Senate Estimates hearing in Canberra yesterday. Mr Strong was quizzed at length over diverse topics including industry investment in seeking alternate markets in the wake of trade tensions with China this year, and the extent of R&D investment in sustainability. ..Read More

Jon Condon, October 23, 2020

Property

Chinese could draw the curtains on historic Tassie property

Australia’s largest dairy operation, Tasmania’s historic Van Diemen’s Land Company, is reportedly on the verge of being offloaded by its Chinese businessman owner Xianfeng Lu…Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, October 27, 2020

Production

Smart Tags to incorporate pasture feed intake monitoring capability

Commerical cattle ear tags will soon be available with pasture feed intake monitoring capabilities following news that eGrazor technology is being incorporated into Ceres Tags…Read More

Beef Central, October 26, 2020

News

Screen Australia bias against Aussie beef industry slammed during Senate Estimates

Screen Australia has been condemned by Nationals Senate Leader Bridget McKenzie for funding $625,000 of taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars to “bring down the Australian beef industry.” Fight for Planet A: Our Climate Challenge is listed as a documentary on both Screen Australia and the ABC’s websites, even though it was factually incorrect and imbalanced in its reporting, she suggested during Senate Estimates yesterday…Read More

Beef Central, October 23, 2020

Markets

Budgeting beef prices difficult in current market

A challenge in periods of fluctuating prices is determining what prices to use in forward budgeting. Ian McLean explains why historical analyses of prices can be very useful in the budgeting process through using decile tables…Read More

Ian McLean, Bush Agribusiness, October 23, 2020

Genetics

Weekly genetics review: Are breeders setting the right starting price for sale bulls?

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, October 27, 2020

Production

NYT breaks mould with science-based article on beef industry’s methane efforts

Breaking a long-running pattern of mainstream media articles blaming cattle for rising temperatures without delving into the actual science is an overnight article from the New York Times, which takes a balanced and science-based approach to explaining the issue…Read More

Beef Central, October 25, 2020

Markets

Records fall again in 17,186 head AuctionsPlus offering

Young cattle price records continued to fall on AuctionsPlus last week, with a line of Angus and Angus cross steer calves smashed national records when they fell for 718c/kg. Cattle numbers eased slightly, with 17,186 head listed, 1700 less than last week. The smaller offering did not dampen prices or demand, with the overall catalogue achieving 90pc clearance…Read More

Beef Central, October 26, 2020

Markets

It’s official: EYCI sweeps into the 800’s

Predictions made over the past 12 months that young cattle prices might reach 800c/kg during the livestock supply void left after two years of drought might have been scoffed at earlier, but they came into reality this week, as the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator swept into record territory overnight…Read More

Jon Condon, October 23, 2020

Industry Dashboard

$A / $US Graph

Updated 7am daily

Today

0.7130

Source: NAB

ASX Market Index

28 Oct 2020 (updated 10am daily)

Company	Price	Trending
Elders	$11.00
Australian Agricultural Co	$1.08
Graincorp	$3.59
Ridley	$0.81
Woolworths	$38.36
Wellard	$0.06

Source: ASX

Beef Kill

Eastern States, weekly

Last Week

108783

Source: MLA's NLRS

EYCI

Eastern Young Cattle Indicator, c/kg

Today

822.5

Source: MLA's NLRS

90CL Cow

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

Today

621.9

Source: Steiner Consulting, MLA

Live Export

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

Today

365

Source: Trade contacts

SOI Graph

Southern Oscillation Index (SOI)

Today

9.99

Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology

Feeder Steer Graph

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

Today

374.2

Source: MLA's NLRS

What readers are saying

‘Outback Ringer’ premieres tonight

I see info about the Outback Ringer show on ABC on your site. Do you know why they do not use tranquilizer guns to help trap the cattle as that....

Richard

Weekly kill: Grids maintain blistering pace, but supply remains constricted

G’day Jon. Is there still a big difference between the dressing percentage in the US vs Australia meaning the carcass from an equivalent animal is much heavier in....

Ian McCamley

Weekly genetics review: Are breeders setting the right starting price for sale bulls?

I have always used the term “upset price” to determine the starting price of an animal at auction. In my opinion “reserve price” should refer to what a breeder....

Charlie Goode

Budgeting beef prices difficult in current market

You are to be congratulated, Mr. Ian McLean ! A wonderful tool to apply, and quite useful in the planning process. It’s been needed for a while to put some....

Michael Vail

Updated: Webinars and online events for beef industry stakeholders

A rolling list of upcoming webinars and video conferencing events of relevance to Australia’s beef and cattle industry…Read More

Beef Central, October 27, 2020

Herd rebuild buoyed by anticipated summer rain

Anticipated drought-breaking rainfall across northern and eastern Australia this summer is expected to allow the national herd rebuild to gain pace, according to MLA’s Cattle Industry Projections October quarterly update…Read More

Beef Central, October 27, 2020

ABSF seeks producer input on beef sustainability

Grassroots beef producers are being encouraged to have their say on the big issues facing the Australian beef industry through a series of upcoming online forums and an online survey…Read More

Beef Central, October 26, 2020

Alternatives being sought for ‘1990s era’ NLIS technology, Senate Estimates told

Jon Condon, October 23, 2020

Markets

Wagga sale 26 Oct 2020: Feedlots into action

The heavy rain up north forced more feedlots into action, which lifted rates for medium and light weight steers 10-15c/kg dearer…Read More

Leann Dax, October 27, 2020

Records fall again in 17,186 head AuctionsPlus offering

Beef Central, October 26, 2020

Buyers show no fear at annual Mortlake spring sale

With the cattle market nudging a record 800 cents a kilogram Eastern Young Cattle indicator, buyers participating at Thursday’s Elders-Kerr & Co annual spring sale displayed no fear stumping up a sale average of 448c/kg or $1810 a head across its 2600 head penning…Read More

Guest Author, October 26, 2020

Budgeting beef prices difficult in current market

Ian McLean, Bush Agribusiness, October 23, 2020

Production

NYT breaks mould with science-based article on beef industry’s methane efforts

Beef Central, October 25, 2020

Smart Tags to incorporate pasture feed intake monitoring capability

Commerical cattle ear tags will soon be available with pasture feed intake monitoring capabilities following news that eGrazor technology is being incorporated into Ceres Tags…Read More

Beef Central, October 26, 2020

‘Outback Ringer’ premieres tonight

The unique skills of bull catchers will be documented through a new ABC television series that premieres tonight, telling the stories of four groups of ‘outback ringers’ at various locations in the Top End…Read More

Beef Central, October 20, 2020

Study demonstrates 80pc reduction in methane emissions from cattle

A new study has further reinforced the potential of red seaweed supplements as a method of significantly reducing enteric methane emissions from cattle…Read More

Beef Central, October 8, 2020

Processing

Weekly kill: Grids maintain blistering pace, but supply remains constricted

Direct consignment slaughter cattle offers from processors across eastern Australia have maintained their blistering pace this week, but there’s been little or no effect on supply…Read More

Jon Condon, October 27, 2020

Weekly kill: Cow prices crack historic 600c

For the first time in history, heavy cow prices in some Queensland processor grid offers have hit 600c in recent days, valuing a typical 320kg cull female at $1980, before grid penalties. The direct consignment slaughter market has been in a fluid state for the past week, with some grids correcting twice in the past seven days, typically up 10-15c/kg…Read More

Jon Condon, October 20, 2020

Weekly kill: Some grids rise 10-30c, north and south

There was plenty of upwards movement in direct consignment processor grid offers across eastern Australia over the past week, with increases of as much as 30c/kg in some examples. The changes are entirely supply-driven, however, with big losses still being racked up by processors…Read More

Jon Condon, October 13, 2020

Weekly kill: Some grids lift again as supply tightness continues

There were further rises seen in some Queensland direct consignment slaughter grid offers this week, as extreme tightness in supply continues to dominate the slaughter cattle market dynamic…Read More

Beef Central, October 6, 2020

Lotfeeding

Feedgrain Focus: Markets lift as rain clouds harvest

Prompt markets for wheat and barley have rallied as consumers and exporters scramble to book and receive grain amid a rain-interrupted harvest in southern Queensland and north-west New South Wales…Read More

Liz Wells, October 26, 2020

Record high feeder prices keeps grainfed trading budget deeply in negative territory

Big losses have again been forecast in Beef Central’s latest 100-day grainfed trading budget calculated this morning. Record high feeder steer values have overwhelmed a softening ration price, and a lift in finished grainfed cattle forward contract prices to deliver a $164 loss – the same figure as our previous budget a month ago…Read More

Jon Condon, October 22, 2020

Search begins for 2021 Feedlots of the Year

The Australian Lot Feeders Association has launched its new-look 2021 Feedlot of the Year Competition and is calling for all eligible yards to enter the next competition, which draws to a close at ALFA’s BeefEx Conference in Brisbane next October…Read More

Beef Central, October 20, 2020

Feedgrain Focus: Wheat strengthens on limited grower selling

Wheat prices have strengthened in the past week as harvesting growers focus on selling barley for cash and holding their high-quality and high-protein wheat in a rising market…Read More

Liz Wells, October 16, 2020

Live Export

Cattle ship stocking density rates to remain unchanged from November 1

James Nason, October 27, 2020

NZ Govt introduces new requirements for livestock exports

New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has introduced new requirements for the safe transport of livestock by sea, following an independent review launched after the tragic loss of Gulf Livestock 1 in early September…Read More

Beef Central, October 23, 2020

Massive consignment yarded near Townsville as live export prices re-test record levels

Northern live export cattle prices are re-testing record levels with good lines of flood plain steers commanding around $3.85/kg ex-Darwin, as the Reid River export yards near Townsville handles 13,500 cattle in a single consignment for Vietnam. ..Read More

James Nason, October 21, 2020

Ship outbreaks reinforce need for national approach to crew safety

The Western Australia Department of Health has re-located 25 crew members from the MV AL Messilah livestock carrier into quarantine isolation at Fremantle today, after yesterday returning positive tests to COVID-19…Read More

Beef Central, October 20, 2020

Trade

Website takes the mystery out of Halal meat purchasing

A recently-launched consumer website designed to verify whether or not a sample of red meat has been processed under Halal conditions is already generating more than ten thousand hits each week. Targeted at both domestic Australian Muslim citizens as well as visiting holiday makers from Muslim countries, the new website is removing a lot of uncertainty around meat purchases for people of Islamic faith…Read More

Jon Condon, October 20, 2020

New measures aimed at modernising meat export regulatory system

Government and industry action to modernise the Australian export meat inspection and regulatory system is underway following the $328 million ‘Busting Congestion for Agricultural Exporters’ measure announced in the 2020/21 Federal Budget. ..Read More

Beef Central, October 19, 2020

International Beef Alliance challenges border testing for COVID

Seven major beef producing and exporting countries which met online this week for annual talks have expressed deep concern at the imposition of border testing for COVID-19 that is not based on international Codex standards…Read More

Beef Central, October 15, 2020

Positive perceptions of red meat growing among consumers

Perceptions of the red meat industry are improving, as is knowledge of the industry among consumers in metropolitan Australia, according to Meat & Livestock Australia’s (MLA) latest consumer sentiment research…Read More

Beef Central, October 15, 2020

Genetics

Weekly genetics review: Are breeders setting the right starting price for sale bulls?

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, October 27, 2020

Unprecedented collaboration in beef cattle genetic improvement

Beef Central, October 27, 2020

Weekly genetics review: 2020 trends in accessing proven maternal females

While all the headline-grabbing attention has focused on bull sales this year, there have also been some outstanding registered female sales results. Genetics editor Alastair Rainer talks to some successful stud masters about what drove their 2020 female sale success, and what was motivating buyers…Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, October 20, 2020

An evolutionary jolt helped cattle to spread across Africa. Now genetics must make them more productive

Studying the history hidden in indigenous African cattle genomes may help guide efforts to breed for productivity without losing the breeds’ native resilience and sustainability, writes ILRI’s Olivier Hanotte…Read More

Olivier Hanotte, International Livestock Research Institute, October 20, 2020

Ag Tech

WEBINAR: AgTech Month – making digital systems work for your business

Anyone interested in learning how digital solutions can benefit their agricultural enterprise is encouraged to register for a free AgTech webinar to kick start AgTech Month in November 2020…Read More

Beef Central, October 27, 2020

Robotic feedlot bunk scanner set to be demonstrated

Lotfeeders will soon be able to see the BunkBot feedbunk scanning robot at work in a commercial setting, with monthly demonstrations planned at Mort & Co’s Pinegrove Feedlot near Millmerran in southern Queensland from November. In earlier trials, the Bunk Scanner proved to be more precise and accurate than human bunk callers in measuring the volume of feed on hand…Read More

Beef Central, September 21, 2020

NBN report highlights agtech growth potential

NBN Co has initiated an agriculture development strategy which aims to address connectivity needs of farmers and supporter greater efficiency of agricultural productivity…Read More

Beef Central, September 1, 2020

AXIchain launches livestock movement app for transporters

With a focus on digital lifetime traceability, animal welfare, and biosecurity enhancements, AXIchain has launched the mNVD app for use in the livestock transport industry…Read More

Beef Central, August 10, 2020

Property

Chinese could draw the curtains on historic Tassie property

Australia’s largest dairy operation, Tasmania’s historic Van Diemen’s Land Company, is reportedly on the verge of being offloaded by its Chinese businessman owner Xianfeng Lu…Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, October 27, 2020

Local farmer consortium outlays $80m for Victoria’s Banongill station

Beef Central, October 27, 2020

Weekly property review: Recently completed sales

Property editor Linda Rowley, October 21, 2020

Movement at the Station: Recent property listings

Outstanding Upper Hunter breeding and fattening country | SA’s Calgara Station expected to achieve up to $22m | Renewed interest in Victorian Wagyu operation | New England production powerhouse to be auctioned | 85 years ownership comes to end in southern QLD | Adjoining blocks to test the Ebor market | Northern Tableland blocks spark interstate interest | Direct Fitzroy River access..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, October 21, 2020