Home - Beef Central

Weekly genetics review: “The data was accurate; but the bull still failed”

This week’s column was prompted by a reader comment following last week’s article, and explores what EBVs and other selection tools are designed to predict, why good data doesn’t guarantee the outcome from every individual bull, and why the breeding program behind the data remains just as important…Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 07/07/2026

Genetics

Setting a framework for heifers – what northern and southern research shows

Producers who manage joining weight, maintain body condition and make balanced selection decisions are building the foundation for more productive breeding herds over the long term, research across northern and southern Australia shows…Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 07/07/2026

Processing

Weekly kill: Southern processing activity in sharp winter decline

While it’s not particularly unusual for this time of year, southern states beef processors are showing clear signs of putting the cue in the rack for the timebeing. Rates of production in Victoria, SA and NSW are now well back on operations levels seen only a few weeks ago, as sourcing well-finished local cattle becomes challenging…Read More

Jon Condon, 07/07/2026

Processing

University of Sydney claims top honours at National meat judging competition

For the first time since 2002, the University of Sydney has taken first place at the ICMJ national competition in Wagga Wagga. ..Read More

Beef Central, 07/07/2026

Opinion

Perspective: Public debate deserves a more honest conversation about land management

Why practical land management knowledge deserves a greater place in public discussions about Australia’s landscapes…Read More

James Nason, 07/07/2026

News

Victorian Farmers come out against Federal environmental laws

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) says new federal environment laws have made it much harder for farmers to manage their own land, with many now facing confusing rules, costly assessments and the risk of severe penalties for everyday farming activities…Read More

Beef Central, 07/07/2026

Vytelle backs next generation of beef industry talent ahead of Ekka national championships

Vytelle has announced the state and territory finalists set to compete in the national beef cattle paraders and young judges contests at this year’s Agricultural Shows Australia National Young Judges and Paraders Championships..Read More

New water market laws now in force, ACCC

New laws now require water markets decisions to be announced and ban market manipulation and insider trading in Murray-Darling Basin water markets. These changes give the ACCC additional powers to act against misconduct and improve transparency in water trading…Read More

Beef Central, 07/07/2026

Production

Webinar: Driving down shrink – How producers can protect cattle weight in transit

Beef Central, 07/07/2026

News

Award and minimum wage workers to receive at least 4.75pc wage increase

Beef Central, 07/07/2026

Weather

Weekly rainfall update + rainfall outlook 6 July 2026

Bureau of Meteorology, 07/07/2026

Markets

Gunnedah 7 July 2026: Dearer market in 1640 head market

Beef Central, 07/07/2026

Lotfeeding

Feeder cattle market: Special sales shine as grids surge again

Eric Barker, 06/07/2026

News

‘Herd to decline’ Ripley Atkinson’s predictions for livestock markets

Lydia Burton, 06/07/2026

Industry Dashboard

Carbon Trading Market

Aust. Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) - $/tonne of CO2 equiv.

Today

37.85

Source: Jarden

$A / $US

Updated 7am daily

Today

0.6957

Source: NAB

ASX Market Index

08 Jul 2026 (updated 10am daily)

Company	Price	Trending
Elders	$8.96
Australian Agricultural Co	$1.52
Graincorp	$7.29
Ridley	$2.12
Woolworths	$36.64
Wellard	$0.06

Source: ASX

Beef Kill

Eastern States, weekly

Last Week

156553

Source: MLA's NLRS

EYCI

Eastern Young Cattle Indicator, c/kg

Today

1011.9

Source: MLA's NLRS

90CL Cow

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

Today

1106

Source: Steiner Consulting, MLA

Live Export

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

Today

400

Source: Trade contacts

SOI

Southern Oscillation Index (SOI)

Today

-17.02

Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology

Feeder Steer

NLRS-reported yards (feedlot buyers only); 0-600kg, 0-2T, c/kg LW

Today

507

Source: Feeder Steer

What readers are saying

If you see a need to change, don’t be held back by what you know

Some interesting history and insights on the brahman breed. We are lucky that Alf and his family have collaborated with leading cattle researchers and adopted their sound economic methods for....

Markus Rathsmann

Input inflation and seasonal variances are shaping grazing land values

It’s indeed Intetesting to me that my written-down prediction for the likely range of equity-value per share (in 2021), [for the bounded-area and long-term, mean stocking-rate] for AAco, of....

Michael Vail

Cattle Australia warns conservation land ‘carbon grab’ will inflate prices

A bad decision made. Time to renege on it … for Australia is unlike other island/continents. It’s the hottest, driest, inhabited Continent on planet Earth: anscestry we need our....

Michael Vail

Vale John Kilroy – the restaurateur who gave Australian beef its identity

I am sad to hear of John's passing. John had been a strong supporter of the AWA Branded Beef Competition, both as a sponsor & Judge for a number....

Ron Fitzgerald

Perspective: Public debate deserves a more honest conversation about land management

Why practical land management knowledge deserves a greater place in public discussions about Australia’s landscapes…Read More

James Nason, 07/07/2026

Victorian Farmers come out against Federal environmental laws

Beef Central, 07/07/2026

New water market laws now in force, ACCC

Beef Central, 07/07/2026

Award and minimum wage workers to receive at least 4.75pc wage increase

The Federal Fair Work Commission’s 4.75pc increase to the National Minimum Wage and minimum rates of pay across all modern awards will apply from this week…Read More

Beef Central, 07/07/2026

Markets

Gunnedah 7 July 2026: Dearer market in 1640 head market

It was a better quality yarding of 1640 head at Gunnedah this morning, made up predominately yearling and weaner cattle. All major buyers competed in a mostly dearer market…Read More

Beef Central, 07/07/2026

Red hot market for Central Australian feeders at annual Alice Springs sale

The annual Alice Springs Show Sale acts as a local showcase for station-bred feeders from across the Central Australia region and further North, and Thursday’s sale was arguably the strongest in Australia for young cattle for the week…Read More

Jon Condon, 04/07/2026

Wagga sale 6 July 2026: Rain pushes numbers lower; heavy feeders ease

Heavy feeders and slaughter cattle generally eased in value, in a smaller 3200 head offering at Wagga this morning..Read More

Leann Dax, 06/07/2026

Steer prices trend down in smaller 11,600 head AuctionsPlus offering

Most steer and lighter heifer categories showed significant slides in c/kg value in online trading on Friday. Cattle listings eased this week, falling 15pc to 11,592 head, while clearance slipped 4 percentage points to 86pc…Read More

Beef Central, 04/07/2026

Building resilience into feeder cattle is one of the components that can help deliver greater efficiency, productivity and profitability in grainfed systems, beef producers attending last week’s Feeder Steer MasterClass held in Ballarat heard…Read More

Jon Condon, 30/06/2026

New $6m focus on cattle and sheep performance in Victoria

On-farm performance and profitability is the focus of new $6 million partnership between MLA and Agriculture Victoria, launched at the BetterBeef conference and Feeder Steer Masterclass held in Ballarat yesterday. The initiative is designed to help producers use on-farm data through proven tools to improve their decision making…Read More

Beef Central, 25/06/2026

Mobile Trich testing platform allows for on-farm same-day results

A mobile Trichomoniasis test has been developed to allow beef producers to know in real-time if their bulls carry the disease which can devastate herd fertility. ..Read More

Lydia Burton, 10/06/2026

Processing

Weekly kill: Southern processing activity in sharp winter decline

Jon Condon, 07/07/2026

University of Sydney claims top honours at National meat judging competition

For the first time since 2002, the University of Sydney has taken first place at the ICMJ national competition in Wagga Wagga. ..Read More

Beef Central, 07/07/2026

Hundreds gather for National ICMJ Conference + PICS

Hundreds are gathered in Wagga Wagga this week for the National ICMJ conference to hear from industry participants from around the world, before competing in beef, lamb and pork carcase competitions. ..Read More

Lydia Burton, 01/07/2026

Weekly kill: northern grids continue downwards trend

Under pressure from softening export meat markets due to tariff and trade flow pressures, northern direct consignment slaughter cattle grids have continued to decline in value this week…Read More

Beef Central, 30/06/2026

Lotfeeding

Feeder cattle market: Special sales shine as grids surge again

Feeder cattle grids have again risen significantly as supply tightens on the back of storms passing through large parts of the Eastern Seaboard…Read More

Eric Barker, 06/07/2026

Feedgrain Focus: Northern catch-up pressures prices

Grower selling remains thin as markets soften under the pressure of carry-out from last year’s harvest, and brightened prospects for the new crop…Read More

Liz Wells, 06/07/2026

Feedgrain Focus: North firms as planting nears end

Prices are firm in the north as seeding slows, and wheat is under pressure in the south from what is shaping up to be a bumper crop…Read More

Liz Wells, 29/06/2026

Grainfed beef industry address key challenges and opportunities at BeefEx conference

An outstanding lineup of international and Australian industry and societal speakers will headline the conference program during the grainfed beef industry’s biennial BeefEx conference on the Gold Coast in September…Read More

Beef Central, 22/06/2026

Live Export

Why northern live export prices aren’t easing

Prices for northern live export feeder steers into Indonesia have remained resilient with rates of $4/kg liveweight ex Darwin and higher for premium lines continuing to hold despite the seasonal lift in supply…Read More

James Nason, 25/06/2026

SE Asia Report: Vietnam trade draws fresh interest | China recognises Brazil as FMD free

The big news this month came from outside the region, China recognising the whole of Brazil as free of foot-and-mouth disease and opening the world’s largest beef market fully to the world’s largest beef exporter. The reason it matters here is twofold…Read More

Dr Michael Patching, 11/06/2026

Beyond the feedlot: The Indonesian households relying on Australia’s live cattle trade

One feedlot in Indonesia, filled with Australian cattle, supports more than 12,000 Indonesian families. The large number of households the trade supports is often overlooked. ..Read More

Lydia Burton, 26/05/2026

Leaked review finds “no definitive evidence” for daylight-only livestock vessel inspections

Several years after the Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry ceased night-time biosecurity inspections for returning vessels – a move that industry has estimated has cost live cattle exporters up to $26,000 per shipment – an independent report prepared for the Department has found no definitive scientific evidence supporting the daylight-only inspection policy…Read More

James Nason, 25/05/2026

Trade

June beef exports to China slump in wake of tariff, but other markets absorbing the slack

Despite a dramatic decline in beef exports last month to China, other markets have stepped into the fold, absorbing much of the slack, latest trade data shows…Read More

Jon Condon, 02/07/2026

UK signals its intent to align with EU’s Deforestation Regulations

The United Kingdom is looking like adopting regulations similar to the European Union’s Deforestation Regulations (EUDR), that could potentially impact Australian red meat exports into the UK market…Read More

Beef Central, 02/07/2026

Australia hits 90pc of its Korean quota, as tariffs loom

Australia will face further tariff pressure on red meat exports in coming weeks, as South Korea looks set to activate its Safeguard mechanism designed to protect its own domestic beef industry…Read More

Beef Central, 26/06/2026

Brisbane, Australia to host 2028 World Butchers’ Challenge

Brisbane will host nation the 2028 World Butchers’ Challenge, a milestone marking 17 years since the popular event was launched as a low-key Trans-Tasman competition between New Zealand and Australia…Read More

Beef Central, 25/06/2026

Genetics

Weekly genetics review: “The data was accurate; but the bull still failed”

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 07/07/2026

Setting a framework for heifers – what northern and southern research shows

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 07/07/2026

Weekly genetics review: Avoiding common mistakes at this year’s bull sales

Ahead of the upcoming spring bull sales it is worth reflecting on past experiences at sales and how these can prepare producers for a better result this year. Over recent selection workshops, and as part of an online poll, I have asked producers to identify what they believe are the more common mistakes they have seen at bull sales. It’s been an interesting experience to take these results and look at the common themes and trends ..Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 30/06/2026

Weekly genetics review: Is longevity really the trait that drives herd productivity?

If we select for longevity, does that risk holding back a beef herd genetically? After looking at some research in both beef and dairy, the message is that longevity is valuable, but mainly because it is evidence of fertility, adaptation and profitability – not because longevity itself creates production…Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 23/06/2026

Ag Tech

In-the-box solution harnesses solar power for remote agriculture

Charles Sturt University is trialling new technology that will allow equipment and infrastructure to be operated in remote areas where grid power is unavailable…Read More

Beef Central, 29/06/2026

Profitability is sustainability, in that order

Producers are being asked to care about emissions, but Collin Kramer argues chasing the wrong number could come at a real cost. In this opinion piece, he identifies the figure that really matters…Read More

Collin Kramer, C-Lock Inc, 03/06/2026

The case for commercialising leucaena in WA

With the local abattoir planning to reopen next year, growing access to supplementary feeding and more markets emerging, there is plenty of excitement in the Western Australian cattle industry…Read More

Eric Barker and Lydia Burton, 27/05/2026

Craig Mostyn Group acquires WA’s Patmore Feeds

Western Australian-based agribusiness Craig Mostyn Group has announced its purchase of stockfeed manufacturer Patmore Feeds…Read More

Beef Central, 14/05/2026

AgProperty Central

Channel Country’s famed Nappa Merrie changing hands in deal worth close to $70m

Showcase large-scale Queensland Channel Country grazing property Nappa Merrie is changing hands, in a deal understood to be worth close to $70 million…Read More

Jon Condon, 03/07/2026

Weekly property review: Market finding its level as buyers become more selective

The rural property market is entering a period of consolidation, with uncertainty around policy settings, interest rates and input costs prompting buyers to become more selective. While the urgency of the boom years has eased, leading marketing agents say demand remains for well-presented, productive assets with scale, water security and clear strategic value…Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 01/07/2026

Input inflation and seasonal variances are shaping grazing land values

The Northern Australian grazing and livestock sector is navigating a complex period of transition as the industry head into the second half of 2026. A distinct multi-speed environment has emerged across the rural landscape, valuer Herron Todd White’s monthly property summary suggests…Read More

Beef Central, 01/07/2026

Weekly property review: Recently completed sales

Historic SA station sells to the Barnes family | Two producers expand with NSW far west grazing country | Traditional owners secure Riverina cattle station | $16,000/ha for Riverina grazing block | Negotiations underway for Maranoa’s Twelve Mile..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 24/06/2026

AgCarbon Central

New livestock ACCU method now in development

Work has started on a new livestock sector method to replace the terminated Beef Cettle Herd Magement scheme and allow producers to earn Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) for herd management practices that reduce methane emissions…Read More

James Nason, 15/06/2026

Debate emerges over plans to cut carbon market

Debate has emerged this week over the future of one of Australia’s longest standing climate policies, with One Nation and the Coalition planning to scrap a key part of carbon market if either of them come into Government at the next election…Read More

Eric Barker, 12/06/2026

Carbon farming: The side of net zero running out of friends

Looking at One Nation’s continually soaring popularity in the polls, it is fair to say scrapping Australia’s target to reach net zero emissions by 2050 is a popular plan. The Coalition has joined in scrapping the target, meaning one side of the net zero target has lost another friend…Read More

Eric Barker, 10/06/2026