Home - Beef Central

SE Asia Report: Trade volumes in May close to normal pre-virus levels

Also in today’s South East Asia report: A modest rise in Indonesian demand for fresh beef during Ramadan and Lebaran; African Swine Fever (ASF) still creating havoc with protein supplies in the background; Darwin feeder cattle prices back on the rise…Read More

Dr Ross Ainsworth, June 5, 2020

Markets

Chris Howie’s livestock market wrap – May 2020

Feed availability has given many the opportunity to jump back into the market. But what should we buy to make a quid? Chris Howie examines opportunities in the current market…Read More

Chris Howie, June 5, 2020

Processing

New products: Data loggers aid in chilled export beef performance

With a growing proportion of Australian red meat leaving these shores in retail-ready chilled form, next generation data-loggers are providing greater insight into cold-chain performance once the product leaves the processing plant…Read More

Beef Central, June 5, 2020

News

Processor suspensions: We were wrong

Beef Central published an article yesterday afternoon suggesting a number of Australian beef processors had been suspended from the China market. The information was incorrect…Read More

Beef Central, June 5, 2020

Ag Tech

Gerry Harvey joins our upcoming webinar on agtech and tax planning issues

One of Australia’s highest-profile businessmen, Gerry Harvey, will feature in our upcoming agtech webinar, focussing on tax-time implications for technology investments in agriculture. ..Read More

Beef Central, June 3, 2020

Production

R&D outcomes help to manage phosphorus deficiencies in northern beef herds

For many producers in northern Australia, phosphorus (P) deficiency is a serious nutritional issue for cattle herds and can cause major losses in productivity and profitability…Read More

Beef Central, June 5, 2020

Recruitment

Recruitment: Effectively managing remote staff during COVID-19

Managing remote teams, such as during the COVID-19 era, requires a different mindset by leaders, says The Right Mind’s David Hanlon. “When done effectively, it is very rewarding for both leaders and team members. As we enter the world of increased remoteness, organisations who adapt to the new leadership style and have the discipline to integrate effective workplace technologies and tools will be the winners,” he says……Read More

Beef Central, June 5, 2020

Live Export

Laporan Pasar: Industri Daging Sapi Asia Tenggara – Edisi ke-78: Mei 2020

Dr Ross Ainsworth, June 5, 2020

News

Correction to earlier China trade access article

Beef Central, June 4, 2020

Live Export

Nine, long years …

Trent Thorne, McCullough Robertson, June 4, 2020

Live Export

Unbalanced report led to irreparable damage: Dick Slaney

James Nason, June 4, 2020

Live Export

Highly charged days that brought an industry to its knees

James Nason, June 4, 2020

News

Kay’s Cuts: Market forces drove US beef cutouts sky-high

Steve Kay, June 4, 2020

News

The last gift of a young country champion

As a young cattleman and junior sporting champion, Jack Cameron was in a league of his own…Read More

James Nason, June 1, 2020

News

Correction to earlier China trade access article

Beef Central withdraws the item published earlier this afternoon about further plant suspensions to China…Read More

Beef Central, June 4, 2020

Live Export

Federal Court rules 2011 livex ban invalid, condemns Ludwig decision

The June 2011 Labor Government’s ban on live exports to Indonesia has been ruled invalid in a decision handed down by Justice Stephen Rares this morning…Read More

James Nason, June 2, 2020

News

Processor suspensions: We were wrong

Beef Central published an article yesterday afternoon suggesting a number of Australian beef processors had been suspended from the China market. The information was incorrect…Read More

Beef Central, June 5, 2020

Live Export

Class action ‘staggering result’ from a legal point of view

Today’s Federal Court outcome is “a staggering result” from a legal perspective, says McCullough Robertson Special Counsel Trent Thorne…Read More

James Nason, June 2, 2020

Property

Weekly property review: Recently completed sales

Inverell Station returns home | Baralaba country makes more than $4000/ha | John Purcell’s Yatton makes $7.4m | Neighbour secures Diamantina channel country | Neighbour expands with SA’s Bosworth Station | Interest continues for well-located Brooklyn aggregation..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, June 3, 2020

Property

Movement at the Station – Properties recently listed for sale

Tightly held Cloncurry enterprise to sell after 100 years | Texans offer their NSW Heavin Farms Aggregation | NSW’s historic Digilah Station heads to auction | Crowther family exchanges two Qld breeder properties for Leeora | Affordable south west Qld breeding and backgrounding | New England grazing block surplus for owners | Retirement prompts the sale of two New England blocks | NSW coastal cattle breeding country..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, June 3, 2020

Live Export

Live export ruling: what happens next?

After waiting nine years for yesterday’s Federal Court decision which ruled the Gillard Labor Government’s 2011 live export ban unlawful, it could take another year or so yet for the businesses affected by the knee-jerk trade shutdown to secure financial compensation…Read More

James Nason, June 3, 2020

Live Export

Reaction to Federal Court livex decision

Reactions to this morning’s Federal Court ruling from industry organisations, political representatives and animal rights groups…Read More

Beef Central, June 2, 2020

News

Elders acquires Eastern Rural in Dalby

Elders has announced the acquisition of Eastern Rural in Dalby…Read More

Beef Central, June 4, 2020

Industry Dashboard

$A / $US Graph

Updated 7am daily

Today

0.6910

Source: NAB

ASX Market Index

05 Jun 2020 (updated 10am daily)

Company	Price	Trending
Elders	$9.53
Australian Agricultural Co	$1.08
Graincorp	$4.45
Ridley	$0.77
Woolworths	$37.06
Wellard	$0.03

Source: ASX

Beef Kill

Eastern States, weekly

Last Week

129475

Source: MLA's NLRS

EYCI

Eastern Young Cattle Indicator, c/kg

Today

746.25

Source: MLA's NLRS

90CL Cow

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

Today

816.5

Source: Steiner Consulting, MLA

Live Export

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

Today

320

Source: Trade contacts

SOI Graph

Southern Oscillation Index (SOI)

Today

2.85

Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology

Feeder Steer Graph

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

Today

354.1

Source: MLA's NLRS

What readers are saying

Nine, long years …

Trent thank you for your tenacity and vigour defending the rights of good honest Australian Farmers going about their daily business supplying cattle to the live export market. ....

Bim Struss

Unbalanced report led to irreparable damage: Dick Slaney

Thank you Beef Central for recognising the professional approach that Elders and, most importantly, Dick Slaney, displayed in that crisis. My son was in Indonesia as part of an MLA....

Val Dyer

The last gift of a young country champion

Well written , such a little legend , he gave all and will be missed by so many .. Rest In Peace Jacko Cameron ⭐️....

Miffy Ferrier

Federal Court rules 2011 livex ban invalid, condemns Ludwig decision

As Pres Dir of Elders Indonesia at that time, I wish to convey my gratitude to those in Australia who never laid down your arms in this fight. Without....

Dick Slaney

Processor suspensions: We were wrong

Beef Central published an article yesterday afternoon suggesting a number of Australian beef processors had been suspended from the China market. The information was incorrect…Read More

Beef Central, June 5, 2020

Recruitment: Effectively managing remote staff during COVID-19

Beef Central, June 5, 2020

Correction to earlier China trade access article

Beef Central withdraws the item published earlier this afternoon about further plant suspensions to China…Read More

Beef Central, June 4, 2020

Kay’s Cuts: Market forces drove US beef cutouts sky-high

A perfect storm of supply and demand factors has delivered record margins to US beef processors, since the onset of COVID-19. Should they have shared more of their margin with cattle producers? Beef Central’s US market commentator Steve Kay explores the question ..Read More

Steve Kay, June 4, 2020

Markets

Chris Howie’s livestock market wrap – May 2020

Feed availability has given many the opportunity to jump back into the market. But what should we buy to make a quid? Chris Howie examines opportunities in the current market…Read More

Chris Howie, June 5, 2020

Dalby sale 3 June 2020: Additional Victorian processors join market

A Victorian export processor was present however one major exporter was absent from the buying panel. Feeder and restocker buyers continued to provide very strong competition across all classes of yearling steers and heifers…Read More

James Nason, June 4, 2020

Roma store sale 2 June 2020: Restockers keep heat on quality weaners

Cattle were mostly drawn from the local supply area but included a fair number from Western & North Western Queensland in a yarding where steers and heifers were present in similar numbers…Read More

Beef Central, June 3, 2020

MLA’s cattle and sheep market indicators back in action

Meat & Livestock Australia’s full suite of cattle and sheep market indicators will return from tomorrow, 3 June, after being suspended since March due to COVID-19 disruptions to market reporting…Read More

Beef Central, June 2, 2020

Production

R&D outcomes help to manage phosphorus deficiencies in northern beef herds

For many producers in northern Australia, phosphorus (P) deficiency is a serious nutritional issue for cattle herds and can cause major losses in productivity and profitability…Read More

Beef Central, June 5, 2020

Entries open for Beef 2021’s National Beef Carcase Competition + VIDEO

THE National Beef Carcase Competition attached to next May’s Beef 2021 event in Rockhampton is now officially open for business, and accepting nominations from across Australia…Read More

Jon Condon, May 29, 2020

Changes to streamline National Vendor Declaration system

A suite of changes to the National Vendor Declaration are being released this year, providing an easier, more efficient and cost-effective system for producers and supply chain stakeholders to interact with Australia’s red meat integrity system…Read More

Beef Central, May 29, 2020

Scientists understand cattle not climate villains, but media still missing message

The message that not all greenhouse gas emissions are created equal and livestock are in fact a potential global warming solution has made it all the way to the IPCC, but is still being ignored by the mainstream media, internationally renowned air quality expert Dr Frank Mitloehner told Alltech One global virtual conference on Friday night…Read More

James Nason, May 25, 2020

Processing

New products: Data loggers aid in chilled export beef performance

Beef Central, June 5, 2020

TFI takes 50pc stake in Victorian processor, Frew Group

South Australian-based meat processor Thomas Foods International has bought a 50pc stake in Victoria smallstock operator Frew Group. The two family-owned businesses said today they will join forces under a new corporate structure from 1 July, to grow national and global markets for high quality Australian meat…Read More

Terry Sim, May 28, 2020

Weekly kill: Some northern grids lift, while southern cow market on fire

Some processor grid offers in Queensland have risen this week, while southern Australian saleyards cow prices continue to fire on all cylinders. Flow of cattle into southern Queensland plants is looking tighter this week, and there are suggestions that at least one large export plant may skip days next week, as a result…Read More

Jon Condon, May 26, 2020

Weekly kill: Southern rates lift, in response to saleyards price surge

Direct consignment slaughter cattle rates lifted another 20c/kg in places in southern states over the past week, in response to surges in saleyards prices…Read More

Jon Condon, May 19, 2020

Lotfeeding

Application to allow beta agonist use in feedlot cattle in Australia is polarising industry

AN application to register a beta agonist medicated pre-mix product for use in Australian grainfed beef cattle for the first time is polarising views within the industry…Read More

Jon Condon, May 26, 2020

Feedgrain Focus: Barley firms after China announcement

Grain markets ploughed through the damage of tariffs while drivers, as complex as the poultry sector shrunken by COVID-19 and inconsistent moisture across Australia’s grainbelt, saw domestic new crop markets edge higher…Read More

Liz and Henry Wells, May 22, 2020

Feedlot numbers fall 12pc, as COVID pressures mount

Cattle on feed for the March quarter across Australia declined by 12 percent or 152,000 head from the record highs seen in December, according to results of the latest Australian Lot Feeders Association and Meat & Livestock Australia industry survey…Read More

Beef Central, May 19, 2020

Feedlot numbers likely to fall 30pc by mid-year, analyst says

Cattle numbers on feed in Australia could fall by as much as 30 percent by June this year, independent meat and livestock analyst Simon Quilty told a webinar audience last week. ..Read More

Jon Condon, May 18, 2020

Live Export

SE Asia Report: Trade volumes in May close to normal pre-virus levels

Dr Ross Ainsworth, June 5, 2020

Laporan Pasar: Industri Daging Sapi Asia Tenggara – Edisi ke-78: Mei 2020

Poin-Poin Utama: Volume perdagangan sapi hidup di bulan Mei mendekati tingkat normal seperti sebelum virus melanda , Permintaan Indonesia untuk daging sapi segar naik tipis selama bulan Ramadhan dan Lebaran, African Swine Fever (ASF) masih mebimbulkan kekacauan pasokan protein, Harga sapi bakalan Darwin kembali lagi.
..Read More

Dr Ross Ainsworth, June 5, 2020

Nine, long years …

‘Justice delayed is justice denied’ is a well-known legal maxim. To state the bleeding obvious, nine years is a long time to wait for justice – let’s hope common sense prevails and the Government does not appeal and draws a line under the epic 2011 live export debacle, writes Trent Thorne..Read More

Trent Thorne, McCullough Robertson, June 4, 2020

Unbalanced report led to irreparable damage: Dick Slaney

Nine years on Dick Slaney who ran Elders’ feedlot and abattoir in Indonesia said there are many emotions “still close to the surface” when he thinks back to the 2011 live export ban…Read More

James Nason, June 4, 2020

Trade

US demand helping underpin otherwise flat export scene

Higher demand and prices for imported beef in the US is one of the few highlights in otherwise flat global beef trade, as the Australian export beef industry heads into June…Read More

Jon Condon, June 2, 2020

Global beef production outlook revised downwards

As parts of the world cautiously ease out of lockdown and reassess COVID-19’s impact on the beef sector, Rabobank’s latest quarterly beef forecast has revised down its global beef production outlook, and forecasts slowing demand in a declining economy. ..Read More

Beef Central, May 29, 2020

Food service providor hit hard by COVID-19 impact

One of Australia’s largest domestic wholesale food service distributors, hit hard by the shutdown of hotels, restaurants and cafes across the country, has put off 100 staff across its Australia-wide operations…Read More

Beef Central, May 22, 2020

Australia to hold the line on rules-based trade in China dispute: Birmingham

Australia will continue to apply the principles of a rules-based global trading system in response to recent moves by China to impose a tariff on Australian barley imports and suspend four Australian meat processing plants…Read More

Neil Lyon, May 21, 2020

Genetics

Registered females sell to $105,000 in Elite Wagyu sale

Registered females sold to $105,000 and bulls to $47,500 in the 2020 Elite Wagyu Sale held online last week, which attracted buyers from across Australia, plus the US, Switzerland and the UK…Read More

Beef Central, May 5, 2020

Weekly genetics review: What have we learnt from 2020’s autumn bull sales?

No one would have predicted on the back of drought, fire and now Covid that averages in many autumn bull sales this year would be up on last year’s results, writes genetics editor Alastair Rayner in this week’s column. The transition to on-line interface has opened up more competition and interest, which means more than ever, producers must have a relationship with the breeder and vice versa, he says…Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, April 28, 2020

Weekly genetics review: Key questions to ask your bull breeder before making 2020 spring purchases

As an advisor, I am often asked by clients to help find breeders who may have bulls that could suit their program. A common theme in these conversations focusses around the questions commercial producers should ask their bull breeders. Ahead of this year’s spring bull sales, it may be an opportunity for producers to reflect on what they know about their bull breeder, and to perhaps ask some questions to underpin their breeding choices…Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, April 21, 2020

Weekly genetics review: Selling bulls amid COVID-19

As the autumn bull sales wind to a close, the COVID-19 restrictions on public gatherings have possibly not been as significant as some may have first feared. However, with the spring bull selling season now fast approaching, many bull breeders and commercial cattlemen are wondering what changes will be required in order to promote the animals and hold sales, either on-farm or online…Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, April 14, 2020

Ag Tech

New products: Data loggers aid in chilled export beef performance

Beef Central, June 5, 2020

Gerry Harvey joins our upcoming webinar on agtech and tax planning issues

One of Australia’s highest-profile businessmen, Gerry Harvey, will feature in our upcoming agtech webinar, focussing on tax-time implications for technology investments in agriculture. ..Read More

Beef Central, June 3, 2020

AgTechCentral/Agrihive webinar: Ag tax time tips with BDO

Tax time is fast approaching – and there are plenty of things for rural businesses to consider in their tax planning following a year of challenge and change…Read More

Beef Central, May 27, 2020

EvokeAg agtech event pushed back to 2022

COVID-19 concerns have pushed back agriculture’s largest annual agtech event, EvokeAg, by 12 months. Originally scheduled to take place in Perth early next year, organisers have this week postponed the next event until February, 2022…Read More

Beef Central, May 27, 2020

Property

Weekly property review: Recently completed sales

Property editor Linda Rowley, June 3, 2020

Movement at the Station – Properties recently listed for sale

Property editor Linda Rowley, June 3, 2020

Circa $25m anticipated for premium Gunnedah grazing portfolio

Outstanding location combined with a self-sufficient beef backgrounding platform and cropping opportunities is expected to draw widespread interest and deliver more than $25 million for the Gunnedah Portfolio on the Liverpool Plains of northern NSW…Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, June 3, 2020