Home - Beef Central

Weekly kill: Northern and southern grids continue to trend lower

With just three weeks of operations remaining before many large export beef processors close for their Christmas/New Year break, slaughter cattle grid prices across the eastern states have softened further this week…Read More

Beef Central, 29/11/2022

Carbon

Coles expands carbon neutral beef brand to three new states

Coles is today expanding its carbon neutral beef range, with the product available in New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania…Read More

Beef Central, 29/11/2022

News

MLA senior manager to take over Herefords Australia CEO role

A change in the leadership of Herefords Australia has been announced today with senior Meat & livestock Australia executive Michael Crowley to take over as Chief Executive Officer from March next year…Read More

James Nason, 29/11/2022

News

$19m investment to bolster ag’s climate resilience

Australia’s agricultural sector will be able to better understand and manage short-term climate risks as well as build long-term resilience, following a $19 million investment focussed on understanding climate variability through Agricultural Innovation Australia…Read More

Beef Central, 29/11/2022

News

Blue-green algae in farm water supplies

Recent flooding event combined with warmer weather conditions has produced favourable conditions for blue-green algae to thrive in farm water supplies and standing flood water, according to Agricultural Victoria Senior Veterinary Officer Dianne Phillips…Read More

Beef Central, 29/11/2022

News

Quad bike safety checks show improved compliance

Ninety-four per cent of new quad bikes assessed by Australia’s consumer law regulators were compliant with the national safety standard that has been in force since October last year, a nationwide surveillance program has found…Read More

Beef Central, 29/11/2022

A boarding school that ‘feels like home’ + VIDEO

How boarding at SCOTS PGC keeps Mitchell’s Will Bryant busy with an abundance of activities and things to do – things ‘I couldn’t see myself doing at a city school’..Read More

2022 bull sales: Your complete guide to each major beef breed’s results and trends

It’s been another extraordinary year for the beef seedstock industry across Australia, with records for numbers of bulls sold, clearance rates and average price re-set for most popular beef breeds. Click here to view Beef Central’s comprehensive breed-by-breed summary for the year..Read More

Jon Condon, 28/11/2022

Carbon

Transparency needed for carbon to realise potential, says valuer

Eric Barker, 28/11/2022

Lotfeeding

Feedgrain Focus: South softens as harvest cranks up

Liz Wells, 28/11/2022

News

Memorial to be held for NT livestock industry figure, Norm Fisher

Eric Barker, 28/11/2022

Weather

Summer outlook: wetter in east, drier in west

Beef Central, 28/11/2022

Markets

Big numbers continue to land online, with 70,000 head listed in three weeks

Beef Central, 26/11/2022

Markets

Wagga sale 28 Nov 2022: Prices mirror erratic market trend

Leann Dax, 28/11/2022

News

People on the Move: Appointments, retirements, achievements

NTCA president and SA producer join NFF board | Lillyvale appoints GM feedlot operations | Larkin moved on from Kimberley Meat Co role | New chair for specialist property agency LAWD | Harold Sealy joins Minerva | Grassdale manager moves to Stockyard | New head of supply chain appointment for Hancock/Kidman | Tracey Hayes joins RFDS Federation board | Station manager promotions and changes for Cunningham Cattle Co | More station management appointments for CPC | Peter Hall new AgForce Cattle president | New owners for Western Qld’s Brodie Agencies | Board Director changes at AHA | US Meat Exporters elect new chair | RPC Life membership for ag journalism stalwart, Pete Lewis..Read More

Jon Condon, 24/11/2022

News

2022 bull sales: Your complete guide to each major beef breed’s results and trends

Jon Condon, 28/11/2022

Opinion

He’s an outspoken advocate for balance in livestock science. Now he is under attack.

Despite his work with the livestock industry to reduce environmental impacts, Professor Frank Mitloehner has recently been singled out for attack in “coordinated hit pieces” by the New York Times and Greenpeace…Read More

James Nason, 24/11/2022

News

Meet the seven candidates standing for Cattle Australia’s northern region

Voting for the inaugural Cattle Australia Board elections opened on Tuesday, November 15 and will remain open until 9am AEDT Monday December 5. – today, find out more about the seven northern candidates, and tomorrow, meet the southern candidates…Read More

Beef Central, 24/11/2022

News

Meet the eight candidates standing for Cattle Australia’s southern region

Today Beef Central features bios and candidate statements from the eight nominees who are standing for the three vacant southern region positions on the inaugural Cattle Australia Board…Read More

Beef Central, 25/11/2022

Markets

Qld agents with highest AuctionsPlus throughput in record year

Two Queensland livestock agencies have won awards for the highest throughput of cattle on online selling platform, AuctionsPlus…Read More

Eric Barker, 24/11/2022

News

Memorial to be held for NT livestock industry figure, Norm Fisher

A memorial service will be held this week for Northern Territory cattle, buffalo and crocodile industry figure Norm Fisher, who was tragically killed in a helicopter crash earlier this month…Read More

Eric Barker, 28/11/2022

News

MLA senior manager to take over Herefords Australia CEO role

James Nason, 29/11/2022

Processing

Weekly kill: Northern and southern grids continue to trend lower

Beef Central, 29/11/2022

News

Three directors elected to MLA board at today’s AGM

Three directors, including two new ones and another returning, were elected to the board of Meat & Livestock Australia during the producer-owned industry service delivery company’s annual general meeting earlier..Read More

Beef Central, 24/11/2022

Industry Dashboard

Carbon Trading Market

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

Today

32.00

Source: Jarden

$A / $US

Updated 7am daily

Today

0.6650

Source: NAB

ASX Market Index

30 Nov 2022 (updated 10am daily)

Company	Price	Trending
Elders	$10.33
Australian Agricultural Co	$1.75
Graincorp	$8.00
Ridley	$1.91
Woolworths	$35.01
Wellard	$0.07

Source: ASX

Beef Kill

Eastern States, weekly

Last Week

101432

Source: MLA's NLRS

EYCI

Eastern Young Cattle Indicator, c/kg

Today

918

Source: MLA's NLRS

90CL Cow

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

Today

789.2

Source: Steiner Consulting, MLA

Live Export

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

Today

520

Source: Trade contacts

SOI

Southern Oscillation Index (SOI)

Today

19.61

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

Why Hughes Pastoral Group is setting course for “Climate Neutral” beef

The Hughes are to be congratulated for bringing good science to the fore. Now MLA needs to be spending some of our levy money getting this message out.....

Geoff Dunsdon

US cattle cycle to impact Australia’s beef fortunes next year, seminar told

Hi Graham, I thought I might try and answer your question as I work in both the producer and processor space. Very simplistically as there are many ever changing....

Ben Carter

Killara feedlot manager delivers sobering assessment about feeder prices

Well written and in my view it’s the old “high prices are the cure for high prices” and vice versa. With regard to marbling do you see the feedlot....

Andrew Street

‘Replacing meat with highly processed food would repeat the health disasters of the 1970s’

Well done, excellent article. It is a shame people have been brainwashed into thinking ultra-processed fake-meats (or flesh as vegans call meat to make it sound bad) are healthy.....

Angie Davies

Coles expands carbon neutral beef brand to three new states

Coles is today expanding its carbon neutral beef range, with the product available in New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania…Read More

Beef Central, 29/11/2022

MLA senior manager to take over Herefords Australia CEO role

James Nason, 29/11/2022

$19m investment to bolster ag’s climate resilience

Beef Central, 29/11/2022

Blue-green algae in farm water supplies

Beef Central, 29/11/2022

Markets

Big numbers continue to land online, with 70,000 head listed in three weeks

High volumes through AuctionsPlus commercial cattle sales continued this week, with 22,116 head offered – back 4pc on last week. Current listings have also been boosted by the significant backlog of cattle – delayed by wet conditions in recent months. Almost 70,000 head have been listed online over the past three weeks…Read More

Beef Central, 26/11/2022

Wagga sale 28 Nov 2022: Prices mirror erratic market trend

Select lines of well-bred steers still commanded over 450c despite the cheaper trend of 12c/kg…Read More

Leann Dax, 28/11/2022

Qld agents with highest AuctionsPlus throughput in record year

Two Queensland livestock agencies have won awards for the highest throughput of cattle on online selling platform, AuctionsPlus…Read More

Eric Barker, 24/11/2022

Dalby sale 23 Nov 2022: Prices ease on previous week

The better end of the light weight yearling steers and heifers to restockers experienced fair demand and however most were 30c to 40c/kg cheaper..Read More

Beef Central, 24/11/2022

New drought grants to boost on-farm resilience

A new Federal Government grants program has been launched to encourage more farmers and graziers to take up drought resilience practices and technology. More than $14m is available to eligible entities under the Future Drought Fund Extension and Adoption of Drought Resilience Farming Practices Grants program…Read More

Beef Central, 18/11/2022

First methane-inhibiting compound for delivery through water medication

The first example of a methane-reducing compound suitable for delivery through livestock water medication systems has been launched in Australia…Read More

Beef Central, 09/11/2022

Heat load impact on tropical cattle production under scrutiny, in era of greater climate variability

The day after Julia Creek, in QLD’s northwest, recorded its hottest-ever October day at 43.9C, impacts of greater climate variability and heat load events on livestock performance were explored during sessions at the TropAg 2022 research conference in Brisbane this week.

Jon Condon, 03/11/2022

Processing

Weekly kill: Northern and southern grids continue to trend lower

Beef Central, 29/11/2022

COVID response earns ACC national award

A focussed response to the COVID threat has earned Queensland integrated beef processor and supply chain Australian Country Choice major recognition in the foremost national workplace health and safety awards…Read More

Beef Central, 25/11/2022

Red Meat R&D: Virtual reality training for red meat processing – from R&D to commercial adoption

AMPC’s inaugural Innovation Showcase program being staged in Melbourne in October will focus on what is next for the red meat processing industry and will provide valuable insights on how businesses can unlock new opportunities…Read More

Beef Central, 25/11/2022

Weekly kill: Grid prices continue to soften, as end-of-year closures loom

Direct consignment slaughter grid offers from processors have continued to deteriorate rapidly this week, falling another 15-20c in places as processors seek to better align with competitors, in an end-of-year market now approaching over-supply…Read More

Beef Central, 22/11/2022

Lotfeeding

Feedgrain Focus: South softens as harvest cranks up

Hopes for two weeks of mostly dry weather have allowed harvest to get a run-on in all states, and the southern market has eased accordingly. ..Read More

Liz Wells, 28/11/2022

Feedgrain Focus: Rain reignites southern inverse

Flooding spikes nearby grains and cottonseed prices in the eastern states as consumers bid up to cover spot needs…Read More

Liz Wells, 22/11/2022

Feedgrain Focus: North sinks, southern wheat firms

An increase in harvest activity in Queensland softened prices in the northern market last week, while wheat shorts bolster values in the south as more rain arrives…Read More

Beef Central, 15/11/2022

Cattle numbers on feed fall 11.6pc, as challenging trading conditions bite

Numbers of cattle on feed across Australia fell 11.6pc in the quarter ended 30 September, results from the latest grainfed industry survey released today show, reflecting current challenging trading conditions..Read More

Beef Central, 10/11/2022

Live Export

Challenges galvanising northern cattle producers and exporters from Darwin to Vietnam

Biosecurity threats, market disruptions and the dangers of misguided government policy are helping to galvanise relationships across Australia’s northern livestock export industry, according to NT Cattlemen’s Association president David Connolly…Read More

Beef Central, 25/11/2022

Livestock export industry welcomes $1.2m grant to support FMD/LSD buffer zones in Indonesia

A $1.2m grant from the Australian Government will help the livestock export industry support its partners in Indonesia with the roll out of vaccines for foot and mouth and lumpy skin disease…Read More

Beef Central, 18/11/2022

The way forward for live export on social media platforms

Live export, cattle and peak farming bodies got some advice on social media strategy from one of the sector’s most followed ambassadors at the LIVEXchange 2022 conference in Darwin last week…Read More

Terry Sim, 17/11/2022

New leadership for Young Livestock Exporters Network

The Young Livestock Exporters Network (YLEN) has a new look executive leadership team after holding its fourth Annual General Meeting in conjunction with the LIVEXchange conference in Darwin last week. ..Read More

Beef Central, 16/11/2022

Trade

Trade deals with India and the UK pass Australian Parliament

Bilateral free trade agreements with India and Britain have been passed by the Australian Parliament this week. It is now up to the parliaments of both nations to ratify the deals for the agreements to take effect. ..Read More

Beef Central, 23/11/2022

Kay’s Cuts: Where’s the US beef?

“Where’s the beef” – a slogan coined by giant US hamburger chain Wendy’s, is one of the most successful ad campaigns of the past few decades. But in light of a big decline in US beef production next year, global beef users might be asking the same question about US beef…Read More

Steve Kay, 10/11/2022

China meat market ‘as sick as it has ever been in ten years’

Export meat traders are describing the China market as being “as sick as it has ever been in ten years” this week, as China battles the latest wave of COVID sickness across the country…Read More

Jon Condon, 10/11/2022

October beef exports continue year-long slump

Australian beef exports continued to perform poorly in October, reaching just 72,979t. Although the volume represented a small rise on September trade, it was coming off a particularly low base, as September beef production struggled under weather challenges and other burdens…Read More

Beef Central, 07/11/2022

Genetics

Weekly genetics review: Collecting the data to inform your culling strategies

Tonight’s genetics review is the last for the 2022 season. Columnist Alastair Rayner will return in late January to preview the Autumn 2023 bull selling period, and will continue to..Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 01/11/2022

Ireland confident genetics and breeding can help meet 25pc methane reduction target

Ireland’s 100,000 beef and dairy cattle farmers are among the first in the world to face the challenge of dealing with legislated emissions reduction targets, and will use well-established national breeding programs to meet the target. ..Read More

James Nason, 26/10/2022

Weekly genetics review: Coping with heat – the impact on bull fertility

Daytime temperature has long been recognised as an issue on bull fertility, impacting on sperm development as well as on other issues such as willingness to work and seek cows to join. A recently published research paper has highlighted the impact temperature can have on semen quality across bulls from 11 different breeds…Read More

Beef Central, 25/10/2022

Weekly genetics review: What has the 2022 bull season taught bull breeders and customers?

Genetics editor Al Rayner this week crunches some numbers on the performance of bull sales during spring 2022, versus last year. He’s come up with some interesting observations ..Read More

Beef Central, 18/10/2022

Ag Tech

Beef agtech uptake not as easy as ‘click and play’

New research has revealed the agtech revolution is slower than hoped for the northern beef industry, with valuable insights revealed into how developers should work with farmers to drive change…Read More

Beef Central, 23/11/2022

Supermarket retailer Coles launches first-ever store-to-door drone delivery

Coles has become the first major Australian retailer to offer drone delivery directly from stores to customers’ homes…Read More

Beef Central, 16/11/2022

Agtech investment momentum continues, despite economic downturn

Australia’s growing agrifoodtech sector is being showcased on the international stage with the launch of a report this week showing investors tipped more than half a billion dollars into Australian startups last year, and a bright outlook for 2022…Read More

Beef Central, 27/10/2022

New system retrofits diesel engines to run on 90 per cent hydrogen

Engineers from UNSW Sydney have successfully converted a diesel engine to run as a hydrogen-diesel hybrid engine – reducing CO2 emissions by more than 85 per cent in the process…Read More

Beef Central, 07/10/2022

AgProperty Central

Weekly property review: Recently completed or passed-in sales

Three neighbouring SA grazing properties make $30m+ | QLD family snaps up Aramac country prior to auction | Coastal fattening & backgrounding makes $7m-$8m | $7m+ for high production country in southern NSW | $11,297/ha for tightly held mixed farm at Tumut | Bundaberg’s historic Moolyung sells under the hammer | Mach family downsizes with northern NSW’s Pontibah..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 23/11/2022

Movement at the Station: Recent property listings

$34m for NSW Riverina cattle breeding and hay | Heavy carrying capacity country in CQ | Speed family offloads CQ’s Footrot Flats | Victorian Wagyu property returns to the market | $30m anticipated for award winning Avington | Two FNQ assets boasting high rainfall | Southern QLD fattening & backgrounding on offer | Backgrounding opportunity in northern NSW..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 23/11/2022

S. Kidman to sell four extensive northern properties, as portfolio re-shaping continues

Northern pastoral giant S. Kidman & Co is well advanced in a sale process to divest another four of its large northern grazing properties, with a total land-area of more than 24,000sq km. The move is part of a re-alignment of company assets away from grassfed beef into grainfed. ..Read More

Jon Condon, 19/11/2022

Weekly property review: Finding the right formula for stocking rate

More producers looking at property acquisitions are shifting their focus from nominal area prices ($ per hectare) into a range of livestock area values, including Adult Equivalents, Beast Area Values and Breeder Area Values. Which is best for your application?..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 16/11/2022