Home - Beef Central

Angus feeder steer premium blows out to $1/kg liveweight – what’s driving it?

What’s driving the eye-watering advance in premiums being paid for Angus feeder steers over generic flatback feeders over the past 12 months? Two key factors – one demand-side, and the other supply-side – are responsible, supply chain managers say ..Read More

Jon Condon, 24/05/2022

News

Soil carbon aggregators expecting to yield credits this year

A series of soil carbon projects across Queensland and New South Wales are expected to yield carbon credits by the end of next month, with the industry regulator working through the auditing process…Read More

Eric Barker, 24/05/2022

Live Export

Indo shipments lead April cattle exports

Australia exported 37,913 cattle in April, according to latest DAWE data, taking total numbers shipped so far in 2022 to 164,107 head, 47 percent below the five-year-average for the first four months of the year…Read More

James Nason, 24/05/2022

Processing

Weekly kill: First quarter production back almost 6pc on last year

Nineteen weeks into the 2022 slaughter season, and the beef industry is still searching for its first national weekly processing tally above 100,000 head…Read More

Jon Condon, 24/05/2022

Markets

Wagga sale 23 May 2022: Market fluctuates with bigger yarding

A bigger yarding of 3200 cattle saw prices become quite unstable at times with big price dips in the market along the way…Read More

Leann Dax, 17/05/2022

News

Cost-push tipped to thin chicken’s discount to beef, lamb

Chicken in Australia is showing signs of both a price and market-share increased, according to Rabobank…Read More

Beef Central, 24/05/2022

News

Election result raises questions about biosecurity, carbon and the next ag minister

With Australia voting to dump its almost decade-old government on the weekend, the agricultural industry is still trying to work what lies ahead…Read More

Eric Barker and Terry Sim, 23/05/2022

Lotfeeding

Numbers on feed, industry capacity hit new records in March feedlot survey

Both numbers on feed and feedlot capacity across Australia hit new record highs in the March quarter, results from the latest quarterly feedlot industry survey released this morning reveal…Read More

Beef Central, 23/05/2022

News

Elders first-half earnings at $132.8m up 80pc year-on-year

Beef Central, 23/05/2022

Murray Arnel sale reports and videos

Little change again in strong Ballarat store cattle prices

Murray Arnel, 22/05/2022

News

Northern cattle industry unites for spectacular Kununurra rodeo action + PICS

James Nason, 22/05/2022

Markets

Rally seen in lighter steer and heifer prices, in online trading

Beef Central, 22/05/2022

Lotfeeding

Feedgrain Focus: SFW passes $500/t, tops drought highs

Liz Wells, 23/05/2022

News

How is Indonesia faring under FMD? Here’s Troy Setter’s on-the-ground account

Jon Condon, 20/05/2022

News

Election result raises questions about biosecurity, carbon and the next ag minister

With Australia voting to dump its almost decade-old government on the weekend, the agricultural industry is still trying to work what lies ahead…Read More

Eric Barker and Terry Sim, 23/05/2022

News

How is Indonesia faring under FMD? Here’s Troy Setter’s on-the-ground account

How is Indonesia faring under the dual biosecurity challenges presented by the recent FMD Lumpy Skin Disease outbreaks? Consolidated Pastoral Co managing director Troy Setter has been in Indonesia this week on company business, during which Beef Central contacted him for an ‘on-the-ground’ update…Read More

Jon Condon, 20/05/2022

News

AA Co delivers record $49.9m operating profit for full year, as global food service recovery continues

THE Australian Agricultural Co delivered an operating profit of just short of $50 million at its annual financial results release held this morning. The result for the year ended 31 March is more than double the $24.4m operating profit delivered the previous year, driven by greater margins on beef and recovery in global food service…Read More

Jon Condon, 19/05/2022

News

Northern cattle industry unites for spectacular Kununurra rodeo action + PICS

As many Australians were watching the rise and fall of Federal politicians in Saturday night’s Federal Election, more than 1000 locals and visitors were being treated to a spectacle of real-life thrills and spills at the 2022 Top End Mustering Rodeo at Kununurra’s scenic Carlton Reach arena…Read More

James Nason, 22/05/2022

Lotfeeding

Lotfeeders buckling under weight of record-high feedgrain and feeder cattle prices

There’s an old saying that financially, lotfeeders can tolerate high feedgrain prices or high feeder cattle prices – but not both at the same time. That adage is being tested at present, with both inputs sitting at record or near-record levels. In this report, we look at the key variables – grain and finished ration prices, feeder cattle and finished grainfed cattle prices and cost-of-gain. Some yards are already starting to reduce numbers on feed as a result…Read More

Jon Condon, 18/05/2022

Trade

Stockyard claims sixth straight Brisbane Royal branded beef crown

Queensland grainfed beef supply chain Stockyard has claimed an incredible sixth straight Brisbane Show branded beef competition grand championship following the announcement of 2022 results this morning – a record that will surely never be challenged…Read More

Jon Condon, 20/05/2022

Property

Weekly property review: Listing stocked, or unstocked? – that is the question

It appears there is no black-and-white, right-or-wrong, when it comes to the potential benefits and downsides of selling a grazing property with or without livestock, in the current market conditions. However the inclusion of stock is more frequently being negotiated after an auction or a sale price has been settled for the land and improvements…Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 18/05/2022

News

More knowledge needed for JBS to reach its net zero target

The head of the world’s largest meat processing business says the company is still trying to work out how it will reach its target of “net zero emissions by 2040”…Read More

Eric Barker, 18/05/2022

Processing

Tax advice for meatworkers, ag employees and truck drivers

The Australian Taxation Office has put together a range of tax resources and tips to help people working in different occupations in agriculture when they lodge their tax returns this year. ..Read More

Beef Central, 18/05/2022

Lotfeeding

Numbers on feed, industry capacity hit new records in March feedlot survey

Beef Central, 23/05/2022

Industry Dashboard

$A / $US

Updated 7am daily

Today

0.7090

Source: NAB

ASX Market Index

24 May 2022 (updated 10am daily)

Company	Price	Trending
Elders	$14.89
Australian Agricultural Co	$2.04
Graincorp	$9.95
Ridley	$1.71
Woolworths	$34.70
Wellard	$0.08

Source: ASX

Beef Kill

Eastern States, weekly

Last Week

87025

Source: MLA's NLRS

EYCI

Eastern Young Cattle Indicator, c/kg

Today

1107

Source: MLA's NLRS

90CL Cow

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

Today

898.6

Source: Steiner Consulting, MLA

Live Export

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

Today

480

Source: Trade contacts

SOI

Southern Oscillation Index (SOI)

Today

19.76

Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology

Feeder Steer

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

Today

588

Source: Feeder Steer

What readers are saying

How is Indonesia faring under FMD? Here’s Troy Setter’s on-the-ground account

Indian Buffalo Meat is a front runner, as the source. The Indo Govn will not countenance that of course but there are already questions being raised. If it is so,....

Peter Hamilton

How is Indonesia faring under FMD? Here’s Troy Setter’s on-the-ground account

This a very informative real world update from Troy with some important messages that should be overlayed with both countries plans to help check for gaps and close them....

Greg Popplewell

Cattle Australia update: Where to from here?

The ongoing restructuring process for the Grass Fed Cattle Industry seems to have ground to a halt of recent times. This is the feedback I am often confronted with....

Mark Driscoll

Renowned scientist says Australia could already be at “net-zero”

Very interesting I would still like us to decrease what we are emitting into the atmosphere as we do have a simple fact the co2 levels in the atmosphere....

Lachlan Palmer

Angus feeder steer premium blows out to $1/kg liveweight – what’s driving it?

Jon Condon, 24/05/2022

Soil carbon aggregators expecting to yield credits this year

Eric Barker, 24/05/2022

Cost-push tipped to thin chicken’s discount to beef, lamb

Chicken in Australia is showing signs of both a price and market-share increased, according to Rabobank…Read More

Beef Central, 24/05/2022

Election result raises questions about biosecurity, carbon and the next ag minister

With Australia voting to dump its almost decade-old government on the weekend, the agricultural industry is still trying to work what lies ahead…Read More

Eric Barker and Terry Sim, 23/05/2022

Markets

Wagga sale 23 May 2022: Market fluctuates with bigger yarding

A bigger yarding of 3200 cattle saw prices become quite unstable at times with big price dips in the market along the way…Read More

Leann Dax, 17/05/2022

Little change again in strong Ballarat store cattle prices

Traders seeking weight and quality have once again made little change to recent-strong Ballarat store cattle prices when a larger penning of 4100 met a keen gathering of buyers on Friday…Read More

Murray Arnel, 22/05/2022

Rally seen in lighter steer and heifer prices, in online trading

Despite clearer conditions, cattle supplies online remained more subdued this week, with AuctionsPlus commercial cattle offerings easing to 17,326 head – back 7pc from the previous week. Lighter steers and heifer categories generally improved in value…Read More

Beef Central, 22/05/2022

Rain forces saleyards closures

There’s been a number of cancellations of regular store and prime cattle sales across Queensland this week, due to the weather…Read More

Beef Central, 17/05/2022

Production

Next generation methane busting feed supplement launched by WA startup

A Perth-based startup behind a new methane reducing feed supplement for livestock says its technology represents a significant leap forward, because it reproduces the methane-busting bioactive contained in red seaweed, but via a pharmaceutical process that is more efficient and scalable to produce…Read More

James Nason, 16/05/2022

NSW DPI manages major parthenium infestation at Croppa Creek

Biosecurity specialists are successfully managing a 65-hectare parthenium weed infestation near Croppa Creek after an observant agronomist found the weeds hidden in a sorghum crop and reported it late last year…Read More

Beef Central, 28/04/2022

‘Redlands’ leucaena lifts beef productivity and profitability in coastal Queensland

Associate Professor Dr Max Shelton says he is more convinced than ever that the establishment of Redlands leucaena pasture is the key to converting poor quality coastal Queensland breeding properties into highly profitable fattening enterprises…Read More

Beef Central, 14/04/2022

Has there ever been as much silage in storage as there is this year?

Silage bunkers have been topped up again after another big summer and inspired many to lock it away for the next drought…Read More

Eric Barker, 13/04/2022

Processing

Weekly kill: First quarter production back almost 6pc on last year

Nineteen weeks into the 2022 slaughter season, and the beef industry is still searching for its first national weekly processing tally above 100,000 head…Read More

Jon Condon, 24/05/2022

Tax advice for meatworkers, ag employees and truck drivers

Beef Central, 18/05/2022

Weekly kill: Production recovery further stymied by rain

Rain continues to have a strong bearing on beef processing operations across eastern Australia, as the industry re-emerges from four weeks of holiday-shorted operations through April. Some QLD processors are again scheduling three and four-day operations this week, as saturated country starts to dry out after intense rain over the past week…Read More

Jon Condon, 17/05/2022

Technology emphasis in processor workplace health and safety conference

Technology will feature strongly in the program when the Australian Red Meat Processor Corporation delivers its first Work Health and Safety Conference in Brisbane next month…Read More

Beef Central, 12/05/2022

Lotfeeding

Numbers on feed, industry capacity hit new records in March feedlot survey

Beef Central, 23/05/2022

Feedgrain Focus: SFW passes $500/t, tops drought highs

Feed wheat is up around 10pc this week as offshore moves, minimal growing selling and limited road-transport options lift prices to above those seen in the 2017-19 drought…Read More

Liz Wells, 23/05/2022

Minimising the BRD impact in feedlots: Progress in three key R&D projects

A series of industry-backed research projects is looking at preventative measures for minimising the impact of bovine respiratory disease in feedlot environments. Here’s an update on three recent projects of importance in BRD management ..Read More

Beef Central, 20/05/2022

Lotfeeders buckling under weight of record-high feedgrain and feeder cattle prices

Jon Condon, 18/05/2022

Live Export

Indo shipments lead April cattle exports

James Nason, 24/05/2022

Qld rain, Indo outbreak weigh on northern cattle export trade

After maintaining a steady pace in the past month there are signs northern cattle export activity may face further disruptions following widespread rainfall in QLD and the detection of FMD in Indonesia…Read More

James Nason, 20/05/2022

Live exporters awaiting clarity on next round of Govt cost-recovery increases

One agricultural sector with more than most riding on the outcome of next weekend’s Federal Election is the livestock export industry, and the sheep and cattle producers and service providers with businesses heavily reliant upon the trade…Read More

James Nason, 13/05/2022

SE Asia Report: Foot and Mouth Disease confirmed in Java

While FMD is a big problem for Indonesia, Australia, one of the world’s largest beef and sheep meat exporters, has the most to lose if infection spreads to our national herds, Dr Ross Ainsworth writes in this month’s South East Asia report.
..Read More

Dr Ross Ainsworth, 11/05/2022

Trade

Stockyard claims sixth straight Brisbane Royal branded beef crown

Jon Condon, 20/05/2022

McDonald’s to exit its Russian burger restaurant business

Global burger giant McDonald’s has announced plans to exit its business in Russia, after more than 30 years of operations in the country…Read More

Beef Central, 17/05/2022

China logs 36pc fall in April meat imports, as COVID lockdowns bite

Severe COVID lockdowns in Shanghai and Beijing, along with several other large Chinese population centres, have pushed China’s April meat imports one-third lower, year-on-year…Read More

Beef Central, 11/05/2022

April beef exports slump to just 61,705t

Australia’s April beef exports slumped to just 61,705t, trade data released by the Department of Agriculture this afternoon shows. April is historically a slower month for exports caused by public holiday impacts on production, but this year the impact has been particularly acute…Read More

Jon Condon, 02/05/2022

Genetics

Wagyu industry moving towards selecting cattle for specific fatty acid profiles

Wagyu breeders could soon start selecting cattle for specific desirable fatty acid profiles in beef, rather than simply taking a broad-brush approach in selection for ‘marbling’, stakeholders attending the recent Australian Wagyu Association’s 2022 annual conference in Melbourne heard…Read More

Jon Condon, 10/05/2022

Speckle Park bull sells for record-breaking $100,000

A Southern New South Wales Speckle Park stud sale has this afternoon broken breed records, with a bull known as Six Star Justice R10 making $100,000…Read More

Beef Central, 06/05/2022

Weekly genetics review: Can the use of embryo transfer mask potential fertility issues?

Can some methods of embryo transfer mask issues such as infertility in beef cattle breeding? Genetics editor Al Rayner addresses the topic this week, with input from veteran genetics and breeding consultant, Don Nicol…Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 04/05/2022

Elite Wagyu sale lights-up, with all-breeds record prices and averages

An incredible new benchmark has been set for the Australian seedstock industry, when last night’s Elite Wagyu Sale held as part of the industry’s 2022 Wagyu Edge Conference in Melbourne lit up with a series of blistering new records. Heifers sold to an incredible $400,000, setting a new all-breeds record for any seedstock animal…Read More

Jon Condon, 28/04/2022

Ag Tech

Hopes for farm-wide wi-fi within 18 months

A university research collaboration with Australian agtech start-up Zetifi is aiming to deliver farm-wide wi-fi using tractors, trucks and passenger vehicles as roaming access points within 18 months…Read More

Beef Central, 17/01/2022

Swiss hills alive with Aussie ear-tags

The old-fashioned Swiss cow bell is getting a high-tech upgrade courtesy of Australian developed ear tag technology…Read More

James Nason, 16/12/2021

Farmbot water monitor sales boost, with more than 5000 units sold

Australian agtech brand Farmbot has now sold more than 5,000 water monitoring units, with the company saying the COP26 summit in Glasgow has boosted sales in recent weeks.
..Read More

Beef Central, 09/11/2021

Assisted reality goggles finding a place in lotfeeding and processing

While virtual reality and augmented reality have been all the talk in the Ag Tech sector in recent years, assisted reality has started to find a practical position in the beef industry…Read More

Eric Barker, 25/10/2021

Property

Weekly property review: Listing stocked, or unstocked? – that is the question

Property editor Linda Rowley, 18/05/2022

Weekly property review: Recently completed sales

Choice Angus secures Bingara’s Arabanoo for expansion | Moura’s Nirvana makes $7.2m..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 11/05/2022

Movement at the station: Recent property listings

Property editor Linda Rowley, 11/05/2022