Sunday 16 August 2020
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News

Kay’s Cuts: Price discovery worries US producers

While the US beef processing sector has largely recovered from the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic, US cattle feeders are still getting far less for their cattle than last year, because of the huge feedlot backlog caused by the pandemic. It is no surprise, then, that cattle producers have refocused their attention on prices in the live cattle market, writes US market commentator Steve Kay…Read More

Guest Author, August 14, 2020

Live Export

July live export cattle shipments drop back from June spike

Shipments of Australian cattle dropped back to 66,946 head in July, down by almost half on the 124,241 shipped in June, according to latest monthly export data…Read More

James Nason, August 14, 2020

Processing

JBS second quarter income jumps 55pc, surprising analysts

Despite COVID challenges, global meat processor JBS posted second-quarter net profits of 3.38 billion reais (US$629 million) for the period ended June 30 – much higher than analysts’ estimates – on the back of strong performance in its beef and pork divisions in the US and Brazil…Read More

Jon Condon, August 14, 2020

Lotfeeding

Feedgrain Focus: Rain softens new-crop values

Prices for wheat and barley have softened this week after rain into the weekend bolstered yield prospects across most of Australia’s cropping districts and prompted some grower selling. ..Read More

Liz Wells, August 14, 2020

Weather

Wetter August to November likely for much of Australia

The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting a wetter than average period across Australia from now until the end of November, as well as an earlier than usual onset of the northern rainfall season. ..Read More

Beef Central, August 14, 2020

Genetics

Webinar: Replacement sire selection in 2020

Beef Central’s genetics editor Alastair Rayner will be guest presenter in upcoming webinars on ‘Sire Selection in 2020, in a climate of restriction’…Read More

Beef Central, August 14, 2020

Recruitment

Recruitment: Hiring to avoid future firing

If you’re an agribusiness employer who doesn’t come from a HR background, or you simply don’t have the resources to hand-ball the task to a recruitment specialist, how do you find reliable staff that will end up shining, rather than causing problems? Here are some approaches that draw on trends noted from some of the world’s biggest companies, that have application to any beef business…Read More

Beef Central, August 14, 2020

News

Updated: Webinars and online events for beef industry stakeholders
4
Beef Central, August 13, 2020

News

Will contrasting cattle and meat prices see US beef back on Australian retail shelves?
4
Jon Condon, August 13, 2020

Processing

Meat union backs JBS on COVID Jobkeeper payment distortions
1
Beef Central, August 13, 2020

Production

One-on-one bushfire recovery support extended
Beef Central, August 13, 2020

News

COVID border crisis unfairly impacting farmers, says Sen McKenzie
1
Beef Central, August 13, 2020

Production

BeefConnect webinar – Stand by what you sell
1
Beef Central, August 13, 2020

Industry Dashboard

$A / $US Graph

Updated 7am daily
Today
0.7150
Source: NAB

ASX Market Index

16 Aug 2020 (updated 10am daily)
Company Price Trending
Elders $10.14
Australian Agricultural Co $1.05
Graincorp $4.22
Ridley $0.71
Woolworths $40.31
Wellard $0.04
Source: ASX

Beef Kill

Eastern States, weekly

Last Week

117895
Source: MLA's NLRS

EYCI

Eastern Young Cattle Indicator, c/kg

Today

762.5
Source: MLA's NLRS

90CL Cow

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

Today

678.1
Source: Steiner Consulting, MLA

Live Export

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

Today

360
Source: Trade contacts

SOI Graph

Southern Oscillation Index (SOI)

Today

4.05
Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology

Feeder Steer Graph

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

Today

372.8
Source: MLA's NLRS

What readers are saying

How an Aussie sheep and cattle producer helped to drive cutting edge global methane science

Alan Lauder has always been way ahead in this and has had the ability to explain the science in a manner that everyone can understand....

Geoff Dunsdon
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COVID border crisis unfairly impacting farmers, says Sen McKenzie

Yes as of Saturday we have been shut out of Qld We live in western NSW (bloody long way from the city and coastal hotspots) and own property....

Andrew Walsh
More
Will contrasting cattle and meat prices see US beef back on Australian retail shelves?

New Zealand , can’t rule out that it second covid break out after 100 days of covid free , didn’t come in on freight . If we have the....

Geoff Maynard
More
Will contrasting cattle and meat prices see US beef back on Australian retail shelves?

Imports from the states will undo all the hard work this industry has done, in marketing a world class product, and possibly end up like the pork industry,....

David Dwyer
More

News

Kay’s Cuts: Price discovery worries US producers

While the US beef processing sector has largely recovered from the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic, US cattle feeders are still getting far less for their cattle than last year, because of the huge feedlot backlog caused by the pandemic. It is no surprise, then, that cattle producers have refocused their attention on prices in the live cattle market, writes US market commentator Steve Kay…Read More

Guest Author, August 14, 2020

Recruitment: Hiring to avoid future firing

If you’re an agribusiness employer who doesn’t come from a HR background, or you simply don’t have the resources to hand-ball the task to a recruitment specialist, how do you find reliable staff that will end up shining, rather than causing problems? Here are some approaches that draw on trends noted from some of the world’s biggest companies, that have application to any beef business…Read More

Beef Central, August 14, 2020

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, August 13, 2020

Will contrasting cattle and meat prices see US beef back on Australian retail shelves?

In Aussie dollar terms, US beef is 25pc cheaper than Australian at present, a recent analysis shows. Will it spark renewed interest in imports?..Read More

Jon Condon, August 13, 2020

Markets

Dalby sale 12 Aug 2020: Strong interstate demand for light cattle

Export buyer attendance was generally good and all were operating, plus the usual feed and trade buyers, while interstate restockers provided the strongest support on light weight cattle…Read More

Beef Central, August 13, 2020

Roma store sale 11 Aug 2020: Light weight yearling set new top price record

Light weight yearling steers under 200kg to restockers made to 537.2c to average 460c/kg setting a new top price record for the Roma Saleyards..Read More

Beef Central, August 12, 2020

Wagga sale 10 August 2020: Numbers halve with rain

Prices surges of 20-39c were recorded for young weaner cattle, with restockers chasing the market across  all categories under 400kg…Read More

Leann Dax, August 10, 2020

PTIC cows and heifers dearer in larger AuctionsPlus offering

Prices for preg-tested in-calf cows and heifers lifted in a larger 13,819 head offering online this week, up by 3000 head on the previous week…Read More

Beef Central, August 9, 2020

Production

One-on-one bushfire recovery support extended

Red meat producers impacted by bushfires in late 2019 and early 2020 can still access critical one-on-one support to help with their recovery as part of Meat & Livestock Australia’s (MLA) Back to Business program, which has been extended to the end of the year…Read More

Beef Central, August 13, 2020

BeefConnect webinar – Stand by what you sell

Have you got your integrity record keeping in order? This free webinar will provide latest updates on changes to NVD, advice on how to start using the new eNVD platform and will include practical tips to make using LPA, NLIS and NVD easier…Read More

Beef Central, August 13, 2020

BeefLinks partnership aims to improve WA’s red meat value chains

A four-year partnership has been launched to coordinate and drive an integrated research and practice change program for the West Australian beef industry…Read More

Beef Central, August 12, 2020

New quad safety standards squarely designed to save lives: ACCC

New safety requirements soon to be introduced for quad bikes won’t prevent all deaths, but they will prevent many, writes ACCC agricultural commissioner Mick Keogh. ..Read More

Guest Author, August 7, 2020

Processing

JBS second quarter income jumps 55pc, surprising analysts

Despite COVID challenges, global meat processor JBS posted second-quarter net profits of 3.38 billion reais (US$629 million) for the period ended June 30 – much higher than analysts’ estimates – on the back of strong performance in its beef and pork divisions in the US and Brazil…Read More

Jon Condon, August 14, 2020

Meat union backs JBS on COVID Jobkeeper payment distortions

The Australian Meat Industry Employees’ Union has questioned the impact that JobKeeper is having within the meat processing industry, saying loopholes have created an uneven playing field when it comes to competition for livestock…Read More

Beef Central, August 13, 2020

Weekly kill: Persistent cow slaughter defies the odds

Some Queensland processors lifted direct consignment rates by 10c/kg on slaughter cattle on Friday, mostly as a strategic response to a rise in saleyards markets seen in some centres over the past week…Read More

Jon Condon, August 11, 2020

Vic Govt clarifies COVID processing limitations

Small Victorian meat processors will be exempted from workforce cuts being enforced as part of Stage Four COVID-19 restrictions coming into force across the state after midnight Friday, as Premier Daniel Andrews provides further detail around tighter processor operating conditions across the state. ..Read More

Terry Sim, August 6, 2020

Lotfeeding

Feedgrain Focus: Rain softens new-crop values

Prices for wheat and barley have softened this week after rain into the weekend bolstered yield prospects across most of Australia’s cropping districts and prompted some grower selling. ..Read More

Liz Wells, August 14, 2020

Feedgrain Focus: Prices fall on rain, approaching new crop

Prices for barley, sorghum and wheat have softened this week as the inverse between nearby and new-crop narrows in response to  forecast rain across southern Australia which is expected to consolidate yield prospects in all states bar Queensland…Read More

Liz Wells, August 10, 2020

Cattle on feed numbers fall 7pc in June quarterly survey

Cattle numbers on feed fell by seven percent in the June quarterly feedlot survey released this morning. While still above one million head for the tenth consecutive quarter, numbers on feed have not been this low since December 2018, prior to the start of the drought…Read More

Jon Condon, August 5, 2020

Dismal sorghum harvest draws to a late close

Harvest of Australia’s smallest sorghum crop in 50 years is drawing to a close in central and southern Queensland to mark the end of a late and challenging season from start to finish for many growers…Read More

Liz Wells, August 3, 2020

Live Export

July live export cattle shipments drop back from June spike

Shipments of Australian cattle dropped back to 66,946 head in July, down by almost half on the 124,241 shipped in June, according to latest monthly export data…Read More

James Nason, August 14, 2020

Investigation launched into Aceh cattle slaughter footage

The Federal Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) has launched a new investigation into Australian livestock export supply chains in Indonesia  in response to new footage from Animals Australia…Read More

Beef Central, August 11, 2020

SE Asia Report: Trade volumes remain high in spite of COVID

Live cattle export volumes continue at high levels in spite of Covid 19, however the strengthening Aussie dollar and rising feeder prices are adding pressure to the trading environment, Dr Ross Ainsworth writes from aboard the Gelbray Express…Read More

Dr Ross Ainsworth, August 7, 2020

Laporan Pasar: Industri Daging Sapi Asia Tenggara: Edisi ke-80: Juli 2020

Live cattle export volumes continue at high levels in spite of Covid 19, however the strengthening Aussie dollar and rising feeder prices are adding pressure to the trading environment, Dr Ross Ainsworth writes from aboard the Gelbray Express…Read More

Dr Ross Ainsworth, August 7, 2020

Trade

COVID’s second wave is distorting domestic meat market in previously unseen ways

The second wave of COVID-related consumer demand being seen for red meat this week – most evident in Victoria and NSW, but gradually extending into other states – is pushing wholesale buying patterns in some unusual and even unique directions…Read More

Jon Condon, August 7, 2020

Pandemic powerfully reinforces consumer demand for beef: US cattle leader

The Covid-19 pandemic has powerfully reinforced the strength of consumer demand for beef, United States cattle industry leader Marty Smith told a Rural Press Club of Queensland webinar this morning…Read More

James Nason, August 6, 2020

July beef exports continue to sag, in line with slide in slaughter rates

Australia’s July beef exports continued to slump, in line with the gradual decline being seen in rates of slaughter as the year progresses. While most major customer markets were impacted, China showed the largest, quite dramatic falls in volume last month, for a variety of reasons…Read More

Jon Condon, August 4, 2020

Aussie beef stays strong during second COVID wave 

Cattle Council of Australia is moving to reassure Australian consumers that beef will still be readily available in our
butcheries and supermarkets, despite a second wave of COVID-19 in Victoria. ..Read More

Beef Central, July 28, 2020

Genetics

Webinar: Replacement sire selection in 2020

Beef Central’s genetics editor Alastair Rayner will be guest presenter in upcoming webinars on ‘Sire Selection in 2020, in a climate of restriction’…Read More

Beef Central, August 14, 2020

Weekly genetics review: Don’t neglect the bull team’s health & ability

With much of the focus during the Spring selling season on purchasing new bulls, it is possible to overlook a key component of the herd – the health and ability of the current sire team, writes genetics editor Al Rayner in this week’s Genetics Review. ..Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, August 11, 2020

2020 Paddock to Palate: Palgrove, Russell Pastoral, McIntyre Agriculture, AA Co triumph

David and Prue Bondfield’s Palgrove, Russell Pastoral Company, Hamish and Mary McIntyre’s McIntyre Agriculture and Australian Agricultural Company were among the major winners of the 2020 JBS RNA Paddock to Palate competition, announced in Toowoomba on Friday night…Read More

James Nason, August 8, 2020

Weekly genetics review: Consistently strong sales mark start of 2020 spring selling season

The sheer buying strength and depth has surprised many during the opening stages of the 2020 spring bull sales period, genetics editor Alastair Rayner reports this week ..Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, August 4, 2020

Ag Tech

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

Post-pandemic swing to robotic, automated food production predicted

Food producers will now be moving to advance robotic and automated technologies much faster to prepare for the next pandemic, University of Queensland Professor Robert Henry says…Read More

Beef Central, July 31, 2020

Remote water monitoring pays big dividends for Central Australia’s Crown Point

Remote water monitoring systems are delivering a return on investment payback period of as little as 12 months for large scale Central Australian cattle producer, Crown Point Pastoral, which runs around 30,000 Angus cattle across 28,000sqkm of country south of Alice Springs ..Read More

Beef Central, July 20, 2020

Drones find rising role in agriculture

Agriculture continues to be one of the major growth sectors in the adoption of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), fuelling the development and release of drone systems tailored specifically to agricultural applications…Read More

Guest Author, July 16, 2020

Property

Weekly property review: Recently completed sales

North Queensland water snapped up for around $9.5m | Western NSW country secured for expansion | Substantial goat operation sells in NSW’s far north west | Central QLD feedlot fails to sell | Rangeland goat enterprise withdrawn..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, August 12, 2020

Movement at the Station: Properties for sale

Historic Barossa properties offer significant scale | Cape York’s Watson River listed with cattle and hay | Gulf breeding and fattening on Nardoo | Hughenden block boasts good body of feed | Best river frontage country in QLD’s Maranoa | Standout Maranoa holding offered for $10m | Prime mixed farming in NSW’s Central West | Expand with coastal breeding block | Escape to the Capricorn coast
..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, August 12, 2020

Weekly property review: The new reality of ‘slow money’

If time is money, then it is little wonder that an increasing number of property agents are voicing their frustration at banks, saying their loan approval process for deals is moving at a glacial pace…Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, August 5, 2020

Property: Feedlot asset demand subdued in drought recovery period

The value of water and mixed-farming land appears to be supporting the long-held value of $800-$1000 per Standard Cattle Unit amid subdued demand from buyers for feedlot assets…Read More

Liz Wells, August 5, 2020

Sheep Central

Melbourne wool auctions told to go ‘remote’ in COVID-19 lockdown

MELBOURNE’S wool auctions have been ordered out of the Brooklyn selling centre as part of Victoria’s Stage Four COVID-19 lockdown...Read More

Wool production estimate for 2020-21 lifted slightly

AUSTRALIA’S shorn wool production dropped by more than 5 percent in 2019-20, but the rate of decline is slowing, according to industry estimates...Read More

Recruitment: Hiring to avoid future firing

HERE are some recruiting approaches that can help agribusiness employers without a human resources background to find staff that shine without handballing the task to a recruitment specialist...Read More

Sheep meat candidate needed for MLA board selection committee

A SHEEP meat candidate is being sought for producer representative positions on Meat & Livestock Australia’s board selection committee at its annual general meeting on 19 November 2020...Read More

Grain Central

Border closures play havoc with ag consultancy businesses

Agricultural consultancies along the borders of Australia’s eastern states are among the many businesses and individuals grappling with the challenge of operating under the strictures of the latest border closures...Read More

Rains across WA grainbelt prove game-changer for winter crops

‘Just in time’ rainfall across most WA grain growing regions has been a game changer, increasing the chances of WA producing at least an average total winter crop of around..Read More

Harvesters hope to clear Queensland COVID hurdle

Contract harvesters in NSW and Victoria are hoping to gain exemptions from the Qld Government which will allow them to harvest crops in Qld in the face of new restrictions..Read More

Rising mouse numbers put eastern croppers on alert

Early signs of mouse activity have been reported in southern Queensland, putting growers on alert for a rise in numbers leading into summer crop planting...Read More

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