Home - Beef Central

Weekly genetics review: Have a measured approach to setting a budget when buying bulls

Determining the budget for genetic improvement within a herd often challenges many producers. As an advisor to commercial and seedstock breeders, Genetics Central editor Al Rayner says he is frequently asked for advice on realistic budgets for bulls. “The process of setting budgets often appears to be overlooked by many producers,” he says…Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner*, July 16, 2019

Weekly Kill Reports

Weekly kill: Processor grids rise for second consecutive week – is the wind shifting?

A second round of processor grid price rises has occurred across parts of eastern states this week, in what may turn out to be the start of the much anticipated fundamental shift in the slaughter cattle supply/demand/price equation, following 18 months of severe drought…Read More

Jon Condon, July 16, 2019

Live Export

SE Asia Report: Importers stock up ahead of tighter feeder supplies

Strong Indonesian feeder imports occured in June in anticipation of a lean second half of 2019, while Indonesian supplies of Indian beef have dried up, writes Southeast Asia market columnist, Dr Ross Ainsworth…Read More

Dr Ross Ainsworth, July 16, 2019

Ag Tech

Agtech: Cattle sales using immersive technology on the horizon

Immersive technology can be used as a tool to build trust between livestock buyers and sellers, AuctionsPlus chief executive officer Angus Street told a conference in Melbourne on Thursday. AuctionsPlus is planning to hold livestock sales using immersive technology within 12 months, but not initially for commercial sheep or cattle sales…Read More

Terry Sim, July 16, 2019

Live Export

Laporan Pasar: Industri Daging Sapi Asia Tenggara – Juni 2019

Kuatnya impor sapi bakalan Indonesia pada bulan Juni menimbun persediaan untuk paruh 2019..Read More

Dr Ross Ainsworth, July 16, 2019

News

Webinar: Smarter finance for smart farmers

A free webinar discussing a suite of attractive low-interest farm business loan options launched recently by the Regional Investment Corporation (RIC) will be held on Thursday, August 1…Read More

Beef Central, July 16, 2019

Markets

Wagga Sale 15 July: Market rallies in smaller yarding

There was a big step up in bidding for secondary cattle with lot feeders, restockers and a boat order all vying to secure well-bred secondary cattle under 400kg…Read More

Leann Dax, July 16, 2019

Lotfeeding

Loss narrows to $19/head in latest grainfed trading budget

Jon Condon, July 15, 2019

News

Adelaide Uni student claims top meat judging prize, as ICMJ celebrates 30 years

Beef Central, July 15, 2019

Agribusiness

Elders to buy rural wholesaler AIRR

Beef Central, July 15, 2019

News

Beef Central’s founders honoured with national industry accolade

Beef Central, July 12, 2019

Uncategorized

LiveCorp crunching vessel dehumidification trial data

Beef Central, July 15, 2019

News

Avalanche of reader comment following Beef Central’s Howard Yelland award win

Beef Central, July 15, 2019

Property

China’s Rifa Salutory to sell its Australian grazing operations

One of the biggest recent Chinese investors in Australian land and cattle, Rifa Salutary, has decided to sell its agricultural production business in Australia. Consisting of 44,000ha of prime red meat production land and about 20,000 quality cattle across northern NSW and Victoria, the business will go to market in coming weeks…Read More

Beef Central, July 12, 2019

News

What does the future hold for livestock production in Australia?

Farmed livestock in Australia generate more than $30 billion annually, about half the total value of agricultural production. But what does the future hold for the sector? CSIRO’s Drewe Ferguson and Ian Colditz pose some questions, and likely solutions…Read More

Drs Drewe Ferguson and Ian Colditz, CSIRO*, July 11, 2019

Trade

Aussie entries perform with distinction in World Steak Challenge

Australian entries have performed exceptionally well, earning two major championships and 36 gold, silver and bronze medals in the 2019 World Steak Challenge decided in Dublin, Ireland overnight…Read More

Jon Condon, July 11, 2019

News

Beef Central’s founders honoured with national industry accolade

The Australian Beef Industry Foundation (ABIF) has bestowed its 2019 Howard Yelland Beef Industry Award on Beef Central’s founders and publishers, Jon Condon and James Nason…Read More

Beef Central, July 12, 2019

Agribusiness

Elders to buy rural wholesaler AIRR

As the takeover of Ruralco by Landmark-owner Nutrien moves toward creating a rural merchandise retailing and wholesaling behemoth in Australia, Elders Limited has announced an acquisition move that will extend its own competitive footprint beyond rural retailing and into wholesaling as well…Read More

Beef Central, July 15, 2019

News

Adelaide Uni student claims top meat judging prize, as ICMJ celebrates 30 years

More than 150 students from tertiary institutions across Australia and overseas, 38 coaches, multiple industry sponsors, supporters and alumni attending the 2019 Inter-Collegiate Meat Judging annual event in Wagga last week. Individual overall champion was Kate Werfel from the University of Adelaide, and runner-up, Kieran Smith from University of New England…Read More

Beef Central, July 15, 2019

Weekly Kill Reports

Weekly kill: Processor grids rise for second consecutive week – is the wind shifting?

Jon Condon, July 16, 2019

News

Nuffield Scholar urges promotion of northern Australian grassfed beef

Northern grass-fed beef producers have a significant opportunity to capitalise on shifting consumer demands by better leveraging the attributes of the vast natural production systems unique to northern Australia. ..Read More

Beef Central, July 12, 2019

Lotfeeding

Loss narrows to $19/head in latest grainfed trading budget

Forward pricing on grainfed slaughter cattle for late October delivery has hit equal-record levels, pushing Beef Central’s latest 100-day grained trading budget result calculated on Thursday much closer to breakeven…Read More

Jon Condon, July 15, 2019

Lotfeeding

No weightgain compromise in feeder steer pre-vaccination, research shows

New research by Charles Sturt University (Charles Sturt) has scotched fears that pre-feedlot vaccination of steers is costing beef producers money because of weight loss in the weeks following the jab…Read More

Beef Central, July 15, 2019

Industry Dashboard

$A / $US Graph

Updated 7am daily

Today

0.7030

Source: NAB

ASX Market Index

17 Jul 2019 (updated 10am daily)

Company	Price	Trending
Elders	$6.13
Australian Agricultural Co	$1.02
Graincorp	$8.50
Ruralco	$4.20
Ridley	$1.13
Woolworths	$34.06
Wellard	$0.04

Source: ASX

Beef Kill

Eastern States, weekly

Last Week

150890

Source: MLA's NLRS

EYCI

Eastern Young Cattle Indicator, c/kg

Today

518.25

Source: MLA's NLRS

90CL Cow

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

Today

697.2

Source: Steiner Consulting, MLA

Live Export

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

Today

295

Source: Trade contacts

SOI Graph

Southern Oscillation Index (SOI)

Today

-10.4

Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology

Feeder Steer Graph

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

Today

308.25

Source: MLA's NLRS

What readers are saying

Beef Central’s founders honoured with national industry accolade

Congratulations to you both in receiving this award as a small recognition of the giant impact in progressing information flow that beef central has delivered and achieved. BC has..

David Foote

Beef Central’s founders honoured with national industry accolade

Well deserved Beef Central and good nomination Don Lawson...

Ron Harris

Beef Central’s founders honoured with national industry accolade

Congratulations and best wishes with your today's National recognition of your advanced Beef Central innovation constantly providing hot on the press market intelligence, news and R&D info to the..

richard wilson

Beef Central’s founders honoured with national industry accolade

Congratulations Jon and James. You are the leaders in giving us independent up to the minute beef news at our fingertips. Great to see your hard work..

Ian McCamley

Webinar: Smarter finance for smart farmers

A free webinar discussing a suite of attractive low-interest farm business loan options launched recently by the Regional Investment Corporation (RIC) will be held on Thursday, August 1…Read More

Beef Central, July 16, 2019

Adelaide Uni student claims top meat judging prize, as ICMJ celebrates 30 years

Beef Central, July 15, 2019

Elders to buy rural wholesaler AIRR

Beef Central, July 15, 2019

Beef Central’s founders honoured with national industry accolade

The Australian Beef Industry Foundation (ABIF) has bestowed its 2019 Howard Yelland Beef Industry Award on Beef Central’s founders and publishers, Jon Condon and James Nason…Read More

Beef Central, July 12, 2019

Markets

Wagga Sale 15 July: Market rallies in smaller yarding

There was a big step up in bidding for secondary cattle with lot feeders, restockers and a boat order all vying to secure well-bred secondary cattle under 400kg…Read More

Leann Dax, July 16, 2019

Young cattle prices lift in smaller AuctionsPlus offering

Cattle numbers dropped this week to total 5983 head offered, down 32pc or 2700 head. Despite the decline in offerings, buyer confidence remained strong with a lift in prices in most young stock categories and a 91pc clearance achieved across all sales…Read More

Jon Condon, July 14, 2019

Dubbo Sale 11 July 2019: Solid gains for cows

Once again cows enjoyed the best of the gains in a solid market with more solid support coming from southern processors…Read More

David Monk, July 12, 2019

Dalby sale 19 July 2019: Steer calves up 50c

The supply of stock reduced to 4,925 head and the trend of large numbers of cows being offered for sale continued. Buyer representation was good, with the return of interstate export processors and feeder operators…Read More

Beef Central, July 11, 2019

Production

Tips to improve MSA compliance for Queensland producers

As Queensland beef producers targeting Meat Standards Australia requirements face what is historically the most challenging time of the year for meeting compliance, some timely tips to help improve compliance have been compiled for producers…Read More

Beef Central, July 12, 2019

Study shows potential for reduced methane from cows

An international team of scientists has shown it is possible to breed cattle to reduce their methane emissions…Read More

Beef Central, July 11, 2019

New-look farm biosecurity website

Sourcing information on how to secure your farm against diseases, pests and weeds has been made easier, with land and livestock managers now having improved access to a vast suite of resources on the Farm Biosecurity website…Read More

Beef Central, July 11, 2019

All-round performance secret to Callide Dawson Carcase Competition winners

Solid all-round performers that could tick the boxes in all performance categories, rather than stand-out entries in single trait, were the big winners at the 2019 Callide Dawson Carcase Competition decided in Biloela, Central Queensland on Friday night…Read More

Jon Condon, July 10, 2019

Processing

Weekly kill: Processor grids rise for second consecutive week – is the wind shifting?

Jon Condon, July 16, 2019

Weekly kill: Grids rise 10-15c in parts of Queensland, a little less in the south

Processor direct consignment grid offers have lifted sharply in Queensland over the past few days, while smaller rises have also been seen in parts of southern Australia…Read More

Jon Condon, July 9, 2019

Beef boning automation next frontier for $32m Teys Rocky research project

The world’s first beef boning automation research & development room will be built at Teys Australia’s Lakes Creek processing facility near Rockhampton in Central Queensland, underpinned by the red meat industry’s need to reduce processing costs and increase boning room yield efficiency…Read More

Jon Condon, July 3, 2019

Weekly kill: Southern processors commence annual migration north

Like wild geese on their annual migration to warmer climes, southern beef processors are starting to head north in numbers in their annual quest for cheaper and more plentiful slaughter cattle, to keep kill tallies active. There’s been a sharp rise in slaughter cattle pricing across southern Australia over the past two weeks as numbers dwindle and processors struggle to maintain supply. ..Read More

Jon Condon, July 2, 2019

Lotfeeding

Loss narrows to $19/head in latest grainfed trading budget

Jon Condon, July 15, 2019

No weightgain compromise in feeder steer pre-vaccination, research shows

Beef Central, July 15, 2019

Feedgrain Focus: Prices drop $10/tonne on US softness, WA rain

Bearish factors including the recent tumble in US grain futures’ values have overpowered the chronic deficit of local grain in Queensland and New South Wales to see values ease by $10 per tonne in this week’s feedgrain market…Read More

Liz Wells, July 8, 2019

Grainfed sector’s SmartBeef technical forum set for Dalby in October

Registrations are open for the grainfed beef industry’s premier technical event, SMARTBEEF 2019, being held this year over two jam-packed days from 2-4 October at Dalby Events Centre on Queensland’s Darling Downs. The program features a range of speakers, demonstrations and social events, designed to appeal to participants across the beef supply chain…Read More

Beef Central, July 5, 2019

Live Export

SE Asia Report: Importers stock up ahead of tighter feeder supplies

Dr Ross Ainsworth, July 16, 2019

Laporan Pasar: Industri Daging Sapi Asia Tenggara – Juni 2019

Kuatnya impor sapi bakalan Indonesia pada bulan Juni menimbun persediaan untuk paruh 2019..Read More

Dr Ross Ainsworth, July 16, 2019

Wellard sells ship to Heytesbury

Wellard Limted has this afternoon announced it is selling one of its live export vessels to major shareholder Heytesbury Company. ..Read More

Beef Central, July 4, 2019

Indonesia announces new Indian buffalo meat imports

Shortages of frozen Indian buffalo meat in Indonesian cold stores are expected to be short lived after an announcement overnight that the National Logistics Agency Bulog now plans to import another 30,000 tons of buffalo meat from India this year…Read More

Beef Central, July 2, 2019

Trade

Aussie entries perform with distinction in World Steak Challenge

Jon Condon, July 11, 2019

June beef exports top 100,000t, but starting to look shakey

After going within a whisker of knocking-off the US as Australia’s second largest volume beef export market in May, China achieved this historic milestone last month, accounting for 22,600t of Australian beef – about 10pc more than the US. See our June report on beef exports to all markets..Read More

Jon Condon, July 8, 2019

JBS’s ‘Queenslander’ beef brand launched in Japan + VIDEO

The new ‘Queenslander’ beef brand was launched in Tokyo recently when Japan’s famous Iron Chef, Hiroyuki Sakai, featured the product at his La Rochelle restaurant…Read More

Beef Central, July 8, 2019

US trade negotiations move to a ‘Full Court Press’ on global trade

Using the analogy of a playing strategy popular in basketball, Beef Central’s independent meat and livestock analyst Simon Quilty says if the US ‘Full court press’ trade negotiation tactics across the world are successful, the outcome for Australian beef exports could be devastating in terms of losing the market advantages we once enjoyed, both in price and volume…Read More

Simon Quilty, July 2, 2019

Genetics

Weekly genetics review: Have a measured approach to setting a budget when buying bulls

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner*, July 16, 2019

Weekly genetics review: A challenging spring bull selling season ahead

As the 2019 spring bull selling season commences across Northern NSW and into Queensland, the consensus among seedstock breeders is that this will be a challenging year for sales. The ongoing impact of drought continues to drive herd reductions as producers grapple with water shortages and scarce feed supplies. Cows and water are the factors dictating producer’s decisions to purchase bulls. From early sales held during June, clearances have been lower, and this trend is a worry for many seedstock producers preparing for their own sales in coming weeks and months…Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, July 9, 2019

Weekly genetics review: Days to calving – An on-farm focus

Across the country there are varying levels of focus placed on the Days to Calving EBV. In general, southern-based herds with closer management of cattle and more defined joining and calving periods, place lower emphasis on the trait compared to other fertility measures. Beef Central spoke with a number of bull breeders across the country to gauge their approach to the Days to Calving trait, and the traits they apply in managing fertility…Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, July 2, 2019

Stock agent and breed administrator Richard Bucks signs off after 63 fruitful years

Former stock agent and Angus breed administrator Richard Buck signed off this week as secretary of the NSW Angus committee, after 63 fruitful years in the beef industry. Richard has an unbroken attendance of the Sydney Show for the past 74 years…Read More

Beef Central, June 28, 2019

Ag Tech

Agtech: Cattle sales using immersive technology on the horizon

Terry Sim, July 16, 2019

Immersive technologies allow community members to truly ‘feel farming’

Tim Gentle knows now that people in the broader community want to ‘touch’ agriculture, and he believes immersive technologies like virtual reality are the answer to people truly ‘feeling farming.’..Read More

Terry Sim, July 11, 2019

Immersive Technology shifting community understanding of red meat industry

More than 50,000 people around the country have an improved understanding of Australia red meat production system for Beef and Lamb now thanks to the devleopment of the MLA’s Paddock to Plate virtual reality campaign in 2017…Read More

Beef Central, July 10, 2019

750,000 podcasts – here’s 5 for Aussie cattle producers

To try to make the job of finding relevant content a little easier for you we’ve come up with a list of five podcasts that we think have plenty to interest for Australian cattle producers…Read More

Beef Central, June 28, 2019

Property

China’s Rifa Salutory to sell its Australian grazing operations

Beef Central, July 12, 2019

Weekly property review: Triggering change in the Qld rural property market

Uncertainty surrounds Queensland’s recently amended trigger maps and the impact this will have on property values. Two weeks ago, the Qld Department of Environment quietly unveiled a new version of the Protected Plants Trigger map, as part of what it describes as ‘a regular review process which was been ongoing since 2014.’..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, July 10, 2019

Weekly Property Review: Recently completed sales

Local buyer secures Crows Nest’s Roslyn | Charleville grazing property sells after 62 years | Former PM’s Upper Hunter property fails to sell | North Qld Breeder operation listed privately..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, July 3, 2019

Movement at the station: Recent property listings

Mixed grazing on Waroona | Historic south-west QLD’s Gowrie well-grassed | Highly sought after buffel country + irrigation | Good inquiry for Central Highlands’ Monash | Taroom’s Iluka for auction | Listowel country being sold as a whole or separately | Upper Hunter country boasts fertile basalt soils | Flood plain country in south west QLD | Exceptional block in the Border Rivers..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, July 3, 2019