Home - Beef Central

Lighter steers and heifers easier, as Easter trading slows on AuctionsPlus

Light steer and heifer categories tended to ease in price on AuctionsPlus this week, where cattle numbers offered reduced by more than half in the lead-up to Easter and Anzac Day trading week, with a total yarding of 7417 head recorded across four weekly sales…Read More

Beef Central, April 20, 2019

Genetics

Weekly genetics review: DeSireBull – A refinement for searching sires

The increasing complexity of information available in the search for sires is often a topic of concern among bull buyers.Although producers value the data that is on offer, there is little doubt that many people find the process of searching through numbers overwhelming.This concern has led the NSW DPI to develop a simple platform to collate and share data in a more visual and digestible manner. ..Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, April 18, 2019

News

How successful was the Grill’d burger chain’s ‘Meatless Monday’?

Beef Central ventured into Grill’d burger restaurants on Monday to observe the customer response to the company’s ‘Meatless Monday’ promotion, and sample a couple of the much-hyped Beyond vege burgers. ..Read More

Beef Central, April 18, 2019

Lotfeeding

Feedgrain Focus: Short weeks, dry conditions limit volume

Public holidays and dry conditions across the eastern Australian grainbelt have supported prices now that end-users have booked coverage for the next four weeks and volume traded has dropped to negligible levels…Read More

Liz Wells and Henry Wells, April 18, 2019

Recruitment

Recruitment: Don’t under-estimate the importance of the exit interview

Some of the most honest and priceless feedback comes from employees that are leaving an organisation. Although it is typically too late to save that employee, they can provide helpful information for managers to consider improving the work environment for others…Read More

Beef Central, April 18, 2019

Processing

New cold storage facility drives efficiency for Warwick’s John Dee plant + VIDEO

A new regional cold storage facility which promises to reduce operational costs, expand storage capacity and increase product sorting capability will drive a new era for southern Darling Downs beef processor, John Dee…Read More

Beef Central, April 18, 2019

News

GDL Dalby’s Anthony O’Dwyer wins Australia’s national young auctioneer title

Anthony O’Dwyer from Grant Daniel Long in Dalby, Qld, will represent Australia in the International Livestock Auctioneers Competition at the Calgary Stampede, Canada after winning the 2019 National Young Auctioneers Competition at the Sydney Royal Easter Show…Read More

Beef Central, April 18, 2019

Trade

True Aussie symbol’s role in export markets

Beef Central, April 18, 2019

Live Export

Live export and domestic feeder prices converge: MLA

Meat & Livestock Australia, April 18, 2019

Markets

Dalby sale 17 April 2019: Lighter cattle back 10-20c/kg

Beef Central, April 11, 2019

Property

Weekly Property Review: Movement at the station

Property editor Linda Rowley, April 17, 2019

Property

Recent property listings of note

Property editor Linda Rowley, April 17, 2019

News

People on the Move: Appointments, retirements, achievements

Jon Condon, April 17, 2019

News

How successful was the Grill’d burger chain’s ‘Meatless Monday’?

Beef Central, April 18, 2019

News

People on the Move: Appointments, retirements, achievements

Hancock, NAPCo appoint new station managers | Woolies meat head moves on | New southern Qld/NSW cattle buyer for Mort & Co | Inspector-General to oversee live animal exports regulation | New Inspector-General of biosecurity appointed | AMIC appoints new policy manager | Tully student earns Agribusiness Australia scholarship | Opportunity excites new Heritage Seeds sales manager | RIC board appoints Bruce King as CEO | AMPC director named NSW Business Woman of the Year | New CEO for Global Compliance..Read More

Jon Condon, April 17, 2019

Property

Weekly Property Review: Movement at the station

District record paid for Tara’s Lilonga | Scale in South Australia sells under the hammer | Locals purchase Glen Innes block for expansion | Aramac country under offer | Maranoa country withdrawn..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, April 17, 2019

Property

Recent property listings of note

Property editor Linda Rowley, April 17, 2019

Processing

New cold storage facility drives efficiency for Warwick’s John Dee plant + VIDEO

Beef Central, April 18, 2019

News

11 activists charged with trespass

Queensland Police have charged 11 people following investigations into alleged trespassing incidents at agricultural locations in late March and early April…Read More

Beef Central, April 17, 2019

Genetics

Weekly genetics review: DeSireBull – A refinement for searching sires

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, April 18, 2019

Ag Tech

Agtech: Young farmer’s mission to simplify farm-management software

Returning home to his farming roots and Victorian family property, engineer turned entrepreneur Jock Lawrence is on a mission to simplify the farm management recording system. ..Read More

Beef Central, April 17, 2019

Processing

Weekly kill: Lack of follow-up rain and cooler weather drives lift in numbers

THE flow of slaughter cattle across eastern Australian picked up this week, as the onset of cooler night-time temperatures and a lack of follow-up rain after encouraging March falls prompts some producers to further lighten off numbers heading into winter. ..Read More

Jon Condon, April 17, 2019

Weather

Weekly rainfall wrap + rain outlook, 17 Apr 2019

Broad surface troughs and cold fronts triggered thunderstorms and showers with moderate fall across large parts of Western Australia, while onshore flow produced showers in the Cape York Peninsula, parts of the east coast of Queensland and northern New South Wales…Read More

Bureau of Meteorology, April 17, 2019

Industry Dashboard

$A / $US Graph

Updated 7am daily

Today

0.7130

Source: NAB

ASX Market Index

23 Apr 2019 (updated 10am daily)

Company	Price	Trending
Elders	$6.05
Australian Agricultural Co	$1.09
Graincorp	$9.15
Ruralco	$4.38
Ridley	$1.36
Woolworths	$31.16
Wellard	$0.05

Source: ASX

Beef Kill

Eastern States, weekly

Last Week

148459

Source: MLA's NLRS

EYCI

Eastern Young Cattle Indicator, c/kg

Today

452.50

Source: MLA's NLRS

90CL Cow

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

Today

691.7

Source: Steiner Consulting, MLA

Live Export

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

Today

300

Source: Trade contacts

SOI Graph

Southern Oscillation Index (SOI)

Today

-6.89

Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology

What readers are saying

NTCA’s 50c levy idea: what do other States think?

Typical negative ABA comments. Since when has domestic consumption been the litmus test for how well the beef industry is going? If it is, then 1976 was our high..

John Wyld

Vale John Stewart

My deepest sympathies to Mr. Stewart’s family and friends. John was an integral part of the Beef Cattle Industry for so many years. I had the pleasure of..

Tahna Jackson

$1.1 million payout for Q Fever victim

Very serious infection. I was diagnosed with Qfever in 1999 and was told that the symptoms were at this time very Flu like and that the fever was difficult..

Ian McKenzie

Is China the new US for world beef trade?

Meat world market is changing but the Brazilian beef exportation quantity is still very low..

Rui Fonseca Veloso

How successful was the Grill’d burger chain’s ‘Meatless Monday’?

Beef Central, April 18, 2019

Recruitment: Don’t under-estimate the importance of the exit interview

Beef Central, April 18, 2019

GDL Dalby’s Anthony O’Dwyer wins Australia’s national young auctioneer title

Beef Central, April 18, 2019

People on the Move: Appointments, retirements, achievements

Jon Condon, April 17, 2019

Markets

Lighter steers and heifers easier, as Easter trading slows on AuctionsPlus

Beef Central, April 20, 2019

Dalby sale 17 April 2019: Lighter cattle back 10-20c/kg

Good quality light weight yearling steers returning to the paddock experienced very little change in price, however poor quality lines lost a further 11c/kg…Read More

Beef Central, April 11, 2019

Roma store sale 16 Apr 2019: Price ease on selective buying

Cattle numbers increased dramatically off the back of strong prices last week…Read More

James Nason, April 17, 2019

Wagga sale 15 April 2019: Export steers lift by 15c/kg

Warm dry conditions continue to put supply pressure on the market, with producers mostly offloading secondary condition stock…Read More

Leann Dax, April 16, 2019

Production

Hard-seeded pasture legumes expand as mixed-farming option

A rip-roaring drought and buoyant livestock prices have bolstered interest in hard-seeded legume pastures as a worthy inclusion in mixed-farming rotations in New South Wales…Read More

Liz Wells, April 11, 2019

Tips and Tools guide released for northern breeding herds

Northern beef producers seeking insights to help boost the reproductive performance of their breeding herds now have access to new reference tools developed by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA)…Read More

Beef Central, April 1, 2019

Blue-green algae alert

Current seasonal conditions are condusive to helping blue-green algae thrive in farm water supplies, Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Charles Milne, has warned…Read More

Beef Central, March 27, 2019

Rapid bluetongue test to support livestock trade

A new test for bluetongue virus (BTV) will give farmers results in hours and help safeguard the nation’s livestock industries…Read More

Beef Central, March 26, 2019

Processing

New cold storage facility drives efficiency for Warwick’s John Dee plant + VIDEO

Beef Central, April 18, 2019

Weekly kill: Lack of follow-up rain and cooler weather drives lift in numbers

Jon Condon, April 17, 2019

Senators probe merit of CCTV cameras in red meat processing plants

Should CCTV cameras be made mandatory in Australian red meat processing plants? The question arose during Senate Estimates in Canberra last week when members of the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport committee put questions to AMPC chief executive Peter Rizzo around the broader subject of the industry’s approach to animal welfare…Read More

Jon Condon, April 11, 2019

Weekly kill: Qld grid prices stabilise, after sharp rising trend

Direct consignment meatworks grid prices in Queensland remain mostly unchanged this week, after a fortnight of sharp rises following March rain. Southern and Central Queensland processor grids this morning have heavy cows at 435-440c/kg and four-tooth grassfed heavy steer 510-535c/kg…Read More

Jon Condon, April 9, 2019

Lotfeeding

Feedgrain Focus: Short weeks, dry conditions limit volume

Liz Wells and Henry Wells, April 18, 2019

Rising feeder steer prices hamper 100-day returns, trading budget shows

A sharp rise in feeder cattle prices over the past month has inflated projected losses on grainfed cattle in our latest 100-day grainfed trading budget calculated yesterday…Read More

Jon Condon, April 16, 2019

John Dee sells 50pc stake in Yarranbrook feedlot to Stone Axe Pastoral

Specialist Wagyu beef supply chain business Stone Axe Pastoral Co has taken a 50 percent interest in John Dee Group’s Yarranbrook feedlot business near Warwick in southern Queensland…Read More

Beef Central, April 12, 2019

Feedgrain Focus: Prices firm as growers wait for widespread rain

Want of rain saw domestic grain prices current and new crop firm this week as cottonseed drifted further. Oats and other cereal crops proving a popular planting choice amid ongoing tight fodder outlook…Read More

Liz and Henry Wells, April 12, 2019

Live Export

Live export and domestic feeder prices converge: MLA

Live cattle exports have made a strong start to 2019 with overall numbers up 21 percent year-on-year for the first three months, at 271,000 head…Read More

Meat & Livestock Australia, April 18, 2019

SE Asia report: October hangover still hurting in April

October imports just keep on coming, forcing Indonesian prices lower, Dr Ross Ainsworth reports in this month’s South East Asia Beef Report.
..Read More

Dr Ross Ainsworth, April 15, 2019

Laporan Pasar: Industri Daging Sapi Asia Tenggara – Maret 2019

Impor Oktober terus berdatangan, memaksa harga di Indonesia turun semakin rendah. Harga sapi potong di Vietnam naik tajam. Musim hujan di Northern Territory gagal.
..Read More

Dr Ross Ainsworth, April 15, 2019

Opinion: ALEC reflects on livex changes a year on from Awassi

In this contributed opinion piece Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council CEO Mark Harvey-Sutton reflects on changes in the livestock export industry in the 12 months since footage showing sheep enduring inexecusable conditions on the Awassi Express shocked Australia…Read More

Mark Harvey-Sutton, April 9, 2019

Trade

True Aussie symbol’s role in export markets

Amid the chilled meat cabinets of retailers across the world, how does Australian red meat differentiate itself from its many competitors, jostling for position in increasingly crowded export markets? Five years after its launch, the True Aussie symbol is now active in 34 key export markets, representing Australian beef, lamb and goatmeat, and is a key component of MLA’s Global Markets Strategy…Read More

Beef Central, April 18, 2019

US imported grinding meat prices hit four-year high

Prices for Australian imported lean grinding meat in the United States have hit a four-year high, when considered in Australian dollar terms. What’s behind it?..Read More

Jon Condon, April 4, 2019

March beef exports sharply higher, in response to big rates of kill

High rates of cattle slaughter during March due to drought impact are reflected in a sharp rise in Australian beef exports for the month. Department of Agriculture export statistics released yesterday show March beef trade to all markets reached 102,429ts, a 7.4pc rise on the previous month and the highest monthly total seen since August last year…Read More

Jon Condon, April 3, 2019

EU and US reach ‘agreement in principle’ on 45,000t beef quota

The United States and the European Union have reportedly reached an “agreement in principle” to restrict a share of the EU’s annual 45,000-tonne hormone-free beef import quota exclusively to US product…Read More

Beef Central, March 28, 2019

Genetics

Weekly genetics review: DeSireBull – A refinement for searching sires

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, April 18, 2019

Weekly genetics review: Accuracy matters in breeding decisions

Although genetic data such as BreedPlan Estimated Breeding Values has been around for some time, there are still some common misconceptions held by producers that can influence their selection decisions. One of the more common misconceptions relates to the accuracy of an EBV, writes genetics editor Alastair Rayner..Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, April 9, 2019

Weekly genetics review: How are emerging breeds moving to meet producer expectations?

The drive to increase market share, and maintaining a point of difference are two common messages to emerge when talking with bull breeders outside of the major breeds, writes genetics editor Alastair Rayner…Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, April 2, 2019

Weekly genetics review: Using genomic tools when selecting replacement heifers

Choosing which females to use within a herd as replacement breeders, or for herd expansion is a significant event in any breeding program. Most selection processes across southern Australia consist of a draft on weight, structure and temperament. Genomic technologies now offer an opportunity to increase the level of objectivity into the process of heifer selection – but there are limitations. ..Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, March 26, 2019

Ag Tech

Agtech: Young farmer’s mission to simplify farm-management software

Returning home to his farming roots and Victorian family property, engineer turned entrepreneur Jock Lawrence is on a mission to simplify the farm management recording system. ..Read More

Beef Central, April 17, 2019

The hidden killer of profitability in cattle

In beef production systems the potentially severe effect of internal parasites has not been given the attention it deserves but technology is now giving producers the ability to see what has previously been invisible, writes veterinarian Dr Matt Playford…Read More

Dr Matt Playford, Dawbuts Animal Health, April 12, 2019

Farm2Fork event livestream

Tune in for the latest ag innovation and knowledge from today’s Rabobank Farm2Fork Summit in Sydney – covering the latest developments impacting the agribusiness space, major trends across key commodities and insights from industry experts on sustainability, waste and technology…Read More

Beef Central, March 28, 2019

Agtech: Automated refuelling station has safety, efficiency implications + VIDEO

A robotic, automated refuelling station developed for mining industry use could one day find applications in agriculture…Read More

Beef Central, March 26, 2019

Property

Weekly Property Review: Movement at the station

Property editor Linda Rowley, April 17, 2019

Recent property listings of note

Property editor Linda Rowley, April 17, 2019

Weekly property review: Liberating capital through sale and leaseback – Part II

This is the second part of a two-part series further examining how sale and leaseback is being used by primary producers to grow their businesses. ..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, April 10, 2019

Mount Colliery offers unique high-country grazing/lifestyle proposition + VIDEO

Tucked away in an isolated pocket of southeast Queensland’s border ranges is a pristine gem of a grazing property that holds almost endless possibilities. Mt Colliary Station, southeast of Warwick, features a unique elevated location in parts above 1000m, around 1250ha of highly improved kikuyu, clover and ryegrass grazing country, and breathtaking views into surrounding valleys…Read More

Jon Condon, April 10, 2019