Home - Beef Central

Steers firm to easier in larger 15,931 head online offering

Steer values were firm to easier, while heifers mostly trended higher in c/kg terms on AuctionsPlus this week, where offering numbers grew 33pc to 15,931 head…Read More

Beef Central, 05/06/2026

News

After challenging start to the year, FarmFest delivers a confidence boost + VIDEO

After a challenging start to 2026, recent widespread rain and stronger livestock markets converted into confidence at Queensland’s largest agricultural field day this week where more than 35,000 visitors explored the latest advances in machinery, drones and electric farm vehicles…Read More

James Nason and Eric Barker, 05/06/2026

News

No US case against Aussie beef, lamb or goat meat on forced labour

The Trump administration has not identified any forced labour issues in Australia’s red meat supply chains justifying the latest 12.5 percent tariff proposals, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed during Senate Estimates today…Read More

Terry Sim, 05/06/2026

Markets

All saleyard indicators rise sharply after handy rain

Australian cattle prices rebounded sharply in May after trending lower since mid-March. ..Read More

Emiliano Diaz, MLA Senior Market Information Analyst, 05/06/2026

News

Graeme Acton Beef Connections member’s journey towards Beef 2027

The Graeme Acton Beef Connections mentoring project being held in the lead-up to Beef 2027 in Rockhampton next May is underway, and as part of that process, Beef Central is following the journey of one of the nine talented young industry stakeholders taking part. Using a monthly diary format, Millie Unthank will outline her experiences and learnings as part of the program…Read More

Millie Unthank, 05/06/2026

The Weekly Grill

S6 Ep17: Graeme Acton Beef Connections program member, Millie Unthank

In this episode of The Weekly Grill, host Kerry Lonergan catches up with one of the participants in this year’s Graeme Acton beef Connections program. Amelia ‘Millie’ Unthank, Ag Tech Manager for the McDonald family’s MDH operations in North Queensland outlines her rural upbringing, studies in bioengineering and computer science, and how she moved from southern saleyards to managing large‑scale agtech in northern beef production…Read More

Beef Central, 05/06/2026

Recruitment

Recruitment: Red meat processors strengthen local communities . . . but more visibility needed

Meaningful social impact initiatives are helping attract committed, long-term labour for red meat processors like NH Foods near Oakey, and Australian Country Choice in Brisbane…Read More

Beef Central, 05/06/2026

News

Consultation opens on impact of EPBC Act changes on key Qld industries

The Crisafulli Government is urging Queenslanders to have their say on the Federal Government’s changes to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC)…Read More

Beef Central, 05/06/2026

News

Global livestock antibiotic use forecast to climb 30pc by 2040

Beef Central, 04/06/2026

Markets

Dubbo sale 4 June 2026: Offering lifts to 2700 on surging prices

David Monk, NLRS, 05/06/2026

News

Mexican screwworm fly crosses US border into Texas

Jon Condon, 04/06/2026

The Week in Beef - Podcast

Podcast: Farm Fest observations | EPBC layers | What’s driving the cattle price surge

Beef Central, 04/06/2026

Production

Growing number of cattle tick infestations in NSW causing deaths

Lydia Burton, 04/06/2026

News

US floats 12.5pc tariff on lamb, mutton and goat meat, excludes beef

Terry Sim, 04/06/2026

Industry Dashboard

Carbon Trading Market

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

Today

37.45

Source: Jarden

$A / $US

Updated 7am daily

Today

0.7133

Source: NAB

ASX Market Index

06 Jun 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

163245

Source: MLA's NLRS

EYCI

Eastern Young Cattle Indicator, c/kg

Today

969.9

Source: MLA's NLRS

90CL Cow

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

Today

1124

Source: Steiner Consulting, MLA

Live Export

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

Today

420

Source: Trade contacts

SOI

Southern Oscillation Index (SOI)

Today

-14.14

Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology

Feeder Steer

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

Today

490

Source: Feeder Steer

What readers are saying

Consultation opens on impact of EPBC Act changes on key Qld industries

The state LNP government, along with it's federal colleagues should be lobbying Canberra as well as looking at constitutional loopholes for Qld to have the pastoral and farming operators/landholders....

Brett McCamley

15 million pigs need to go right now, Susan McDonald

Yes, I totally agree. over in WA Perth Hills, I had pigs ripping up my pasture which was the result of years of rehabilitation by myself on what had....

Geoffrey Kirkman

From Marellan Shorthorns to world rugby stage: Emerald’s Jacob Job touring South Africa with junior Wallabies

Jacob Job is the kind of footy player every club wishes they had. Not only does he bring incredible skill and determination onto the field, but he also carries....

Mcsweensen Cossguada

Meet Australia’s new world champion butcher – all the way from country Qld

Congratulations to you, Butcher Luke. I know the hours, the training, the discipline, and the absolute obsession competitors like you have poured into your craft. To see you crowned....

Glen Feist

After challenging start to the year, FarmFest delivers a confidence boost + VIDEO

James Nason and Eric Barker, 05/06/2026

No US case against Aussie beef, lamb or goat meat on forced labour

Terry Sim, 05/06/2026

Graeme Acton Beef Connections member’s journey towards Beef 2027

Millie Unthank, 05/06/2026

Recruitment: Red meat processors strengthen local communities . . . but more visibility needed

Meaningful social impact initiatives are helping attract committed, long-term labour for red meat processors like NH Foods near Oakey, and Australian Country Choice in Brisbane…Read More

Beef Central, 05/06/2026

Markets

Steers firm to easier in larger 15,931 head online offering

Steer values were firm to easier, while heifers mostly trended higher in c/kg terms on AuctionsPlus this week, where offering numbers grew 33pc to 15,931 head…Read More

Beef Central, 05/06/2026

All saleyard indicators rise sharply after handy rain

Australian cattle prices rebounded sharply in May after trending lower since mid-March. ..Read More

Emiliano Diaz, MLA Senior Market Information Analyst, 05/06/2026

Dubbo sale 4 June 2026: Offering lifts to 2700 on surging prices

The recent cattle price surge saw Dubbo’s offering lift by 1200 yesterday, reaching 2717 head. The market was stronger on weaners and young cattle while cows were firm..Read More

David Monk, NLRS, 05/06/2026

Dalby sale 3 June 2026: Cow supply maintains high levels

All the regular buyers were in attendance and operating and prices generally improved for most classes…Read More

Beef Central, 04/06/2026

Meet the four women representing Australia at the Global Gathering of Pastoralist Women, as part of the UN’s International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists…Read More

Lydia Burton, 02/06/2026

15 million pigs need to go right now, Susan McDonald

Feral pigs are tearing through farms, waterways and wetlands, leaving behind millions of dollars in damage and devastation for producers already under enormous pressure, LNP Senator for Queensland Susan McDonald says…Read More

Beef Central, 29/05/2026

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

Processing

Weekly kill: Qld grids soar 30-40c/kg, as supply tightens further after rain

Some of the biggest slaughter cattle price increases seen since the 2022-23 era when cattle supply was greatly hampered by herd rebuilding have been seen this week…Read More

Jon Condon, 02/06/2026

Vale Tony Nolan: Beef processing innovator, mentor, community leader

Popular Queensland meat processing industry identity Tony Nolan, whose funeral service was held in Gympie this morning, is being remembered as a meat processing industry innovator, technology pioneer and a great local community leader…Read More

Jon Condon, 29/05/2026

Weekly kill: 20c/kg grid rises common, as supply tightens further after rain

Recent widespread and in places beneficial rain has forced direct consignment grid prices sharply higher across the eastern states this week. Queensland grids started to rise last Thursday in response to lower saleyards yardings and changing attitudes among direct-consignment cattle suppliers, with lifts of 20c/kg reasonably common…Read More

Jon Condon, 26/05/2026

Weekly kill: Direct consignment grids stabilise after earlier rally

Rain, or the prospect of it, again became a focus in slaughter cattle market psychology this week, with impacts being seen in some smaller saleyards yardings and a few logistical problems in delivery of direct-consignment cattle…Read More

Jon Condon, 19/05/2026

Lotfeeding

Does the Darling Downs have enough water to keep building feedlots?

As Australia’s biggest feedlot operators continue to fill council pigeonholes with plans to expand their operations on Queensland’s Darling Downs, there is one local issue that is becoming a growing concern by the day – water…Read More

Eric Barker, 02/06/2026

MLA releases best practice guide for feedlot cattle preparation

A new best practice guide brings together key industry resources into a single, first-of-its kind reference to help grassfed cattle producers improve how feeder cattle are prepared for feedlot entry…Read More

Beef Central, 02/06/2026

Feedgrain Focus: North plummets as more rain falls

Northern wheat and barley prices have tumbled this week as further rain brightens the region’s production prospects, and demand from graziers falls away…Read More

Liz Wells, 01/06/2026

Feeder cattle market: Grids up 10-20c with more rain forecast

Feeder cattle grids have jumped 10-20c in the past fortnight as rain across dry parts of the country brings optimism back to the market…Read More

Eric Barker, 25/05/2026

Live Export

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

SE Asia Report: Falling Darwin feeder numbers offer Indonesia’s squeezed lotfeeders a first glimpse of relief

Vietnam seeks emergency approval to import SAT-1 FMD vaccines as cross-border disease risk rises | Indonesian meat processors continue to lobby for their 2026 private beef quota to be restored from 30,000 to 180,000 tonnes | Sea freight stays under pressure, with Singapore bunker fuel at USD 850/mt still nearly double January’s USD 480/mt…Read More

Dr Michael Patching, 22/05/2026

Indonesia Live Cattle Industry Taskforce to strengthen key market for Aussie producers

The Indonesia Live Cattle Industry Taskforce is a strategic advisory body designed to enhance collaboration, guide investment and strengthen outcomes in Australia’s most important live cattle export market…Read More

Beef Central, 20/05/2026

Trade

May beef exports soar to all-time record volume above 152,000t

Australia’s beef exports surged to their highest monthly level on record in May, driven by high levels of production, export quota/tariff pressures adding urgency in some markets, and underlying global protein demand…Read More

Jon Condon, 03/06/2026

Brazil steps ahead of Australia as the US’s biggest imported beef supplier

After 40 years as the principal supplier of imported beef to the United States, Australia has been tipped-out of the top position in recent months by Brazil…Read More

Jon Condon, 01/06/2026

Beef tariff impacts dominate trade talks during Shanghai’s huge SIAL food trade show

Concerns about chilled and frozen beef business into China once key export nations fill their 2026 quotas was in clear evidence at the giant SIAL Food Trade show held in Shanghai last week. SIAL, which finished on Friday, is one of the world’s largest food exhibitions, and has become a gathering point for red meat exporters from across the world to engage with existing and new Chinese customers…Read More

Jon Condon, 25/05/2026

China re-admits 425 US beef plants for export, but the move has little bearing on Australia

Following talks last week between US President Donald Trump and China’s President Xi, China has agreed to restore export access to 425 US beef processing plants that have been excluded from the market for up to two years. What does it mean for Australia’s export prospects?..Read More

Jon Condon, 18/05/2026

Genetics

Australian Wagyu beef and dairy genetics return to China after five-year absence

A major export agreement to supply Australian-bred Wagyu and dairy genetics into China is marking the first export of Australian cattle semen into that market for five years. Five years..Read More

Beef Central, 03/06/2026

Have we listed your Spring 2026 bull sale details?

Beef Central is putting the finishing touches on its 2026 Winter/Spring bull sales calendar, featuring seedstock sales fixtures nationwide across all major beef breeds being held from now until the end of November. Do we have your sale details?..Read More

Beef Central, 01/06/2026

Tasmania gets its first dedicated bovine IVF service

Tasmanian cattle producers now have access to a beef and dairy cattle IVF service for the first time..Read More

Beef Central, 28/05/2026

One cattle breed is showing resilience to foot and mouth disease in South Africa

As South Africa battles one of the most significant Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreaks in its history, a centuries-old indigenous cattle breed is gaining attention for the resilience it is showing to the devastating disease…Read More

James Nason, 22/05/2026

Ag Tech

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

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

Help needed as regional Aussies navigate new mobile tech

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has dubbed the Regional Tech Hub an essential service ahead of major changes to telecommunications in the bush…Read More

Beef Central, 15/04/2026

AgProperty Central

Weekly property review: North Qld grazing market shows resilience despite rising costs

Solid to excellent seasonal conditions, recovering cattle prices and strong inquiry for quality breeder country are helping underpin North Qld’s grazing property market. According to valuer Roger Hill, the region’s grazing property market is showing resilience in 2026, with values for improved coastal country holding firm and buyer confidence still evident across well-presented breeder and backgrounding assets…Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 03/06/2026

North Qld’s Valley of Lagoons sells under the hammer for $30m

In a strong endorsement of the strength of the Northern Australian cattle property market, the Howe family’s Rock Ridge Cattle Co has paid $30 million for North Queensland’s Valley of Lagoons Station, offered with more than 4000 Brahman breeders…Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 31/05/2026

Movement at the Station: Properties for sale and sold in QLD

Collinsville’s Panhandle lists with close to 3000 breeders | CQ’s Bluegrass Plains lists for $11m | CQ cattle & cropping portfolio makes $30m | Well grassed Glenalba splits two ways..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 27/05/2026

Properties for sale in NSW, VIC, SA

Freebairn family lists SA’s Gilles Downs Station | Vic’s Pittong Pastoral sale will end 140 years ownership | Yarrawonga Pastoral sells historic Manaroo in NSW

Property editor Linda Rowley, 27/05/2026

AgCarbon Central

Carbon markets: ACCU prices jump, future supply concerns

The market for Australian Carbon Credit Units has jumped in the past couple of weeks after companies covered by the country’s “safeguard mechanism” squared away their balance sheets at the end of March…Read More

Eric Barker, 28/04/2026

The one factor that could open up more timber harvesting on grazing land

While environmental groups have been campaigning against the harvesting of timber from native forests for years, a not-for-profit organisation says there is untapped potential to use the practice for restoring stressed environments across the country…Read More

Eric Barker, 23/04/2026