Home - Beef Central

Weekly property review: Recently completed sales

Prime CQ finishing country makes almost $50m | $26m+ for high carrying capacity country in Qld’s Maranoa | Seawrights expand with two Roma properties | NQ’s Barragunda passes in at $9.25m..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 24/04/2024

Property

Movement at the station: Recent property listings

Property editor Linda Rowley, 24/04/2024

News

Record export trimmings price surge takes a breather – but it’s only temporary, traders say

This year’s dramatic surge in frozen beef trimmings prices – driven heavily by the US market – has taken a breather over the past week, but the consensus is that the pause is only temporary. Lean 90CL frozen Aussie imported trimmings, used for ever-popular US hamburgers traded last week at A969c/kg – their highest level in 24 years of recorded data…Read More

Jon Condon, 24/04/2024

Lotfeeding

Central Queensland feedlot taking sorghum to the next level

One of Central Queensland’s early movers into lotfeeding has been paving a path for large-scale utilisation of one of the area’s most reliable grains – sorghum…Read More

Eric Barker, 24/04/2024

Beef 2024 Preview

Beef 2024: Wednesday is Hump Day

The southern hemisphere’s biggest reverse flow smoker will be back in action serving up mouth watering slow-cooked barbecue delicacies at Beef 2024 in Rockhampton…Read More

Beef Central, 24/04/2024

Production

Q Fever vaccination database migrates to Australian Immunisation Register

A national Q Fever vaccination database previously managed on the meat and livestock industry’s behalf by AusMeat is being transferred to the Australian Immunisation Register…Read More

Beef Central, 24/04/2024

CERES Tag enables compliance with incoming EU deforestation laws

CERES Tag technology can significantly enhance livestock producers’ ability to meet the stringent requirements set by the European Union’s deforestation supply chain laws and Scope 3 emissions reporting, while also bolstering overall sustainability practices…Read More

Red Meat R&D Update: Shadow robots reality a step closer + VIDEO

Commercialisation of a shadow robot system for meat processing operations is getting closer, with the most recent stage of ongoing research and development in the field delivering good results in a processing plant trial…Read More

Beef Central, 24/04/2024

Markets

Roma store sale 23 Apr 2024: Prices soften with large numbers

Beef Central, 24/04/2024

News

Applications extended for female leadership program

Beef Central, 24/04/2024

Genetics

Weekly genetics review: Considering the value of Fixed-Time AI – don’t look at cost in isolation

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 23/04/2024

Carbon

Greenwashing inquiry reflects difficulty in regulating climate claims

Eric Barker, 23/04/2024

Processing

Weekly kill: Short trading weeks plus abundant supply pressuring prices

Beef Central, 23/04/2024

News

Industry “still in dark” on biosecurity protection levy

Beef Central, 23/04/2024

Markets

Wagga sale 22 April 2024: Price correction in shorter trading week

The export market experienced a notable price correction across the cow and bullock classes, largely influenced by bigger numbers and a shorter trading week…Read More

Leann Dax, 23/04/2024

Weather

Weekly rainfall update + rainfall outlook 23 Apr 2024

FAR North Queensland and the eastern Top End of the Northern Territory experienced several days of isolated thunderstorms and heavy rainfall, due to easterly flow and a trough with an..Read More

Bureau of Meteorology, 23/04/2024

The Weekly Grill

S4 Ep13: Regular cattle market update, with Matt Dalgleish and Chris Howie

In today’s Weekly Grill podcast RMA’s Chris Howie and Ep3’s Matt Dalgleish provide a cattle and beef markets update, as the industry heads into the thick of the mid-year production cycle. Challenges lay ahead, but on balance the industry is in strong shape to meet the growing beef demand challenge over the next couple of years, the pair suggest. ..Read More

Beef Central, 19/04/2024

News

China deep dive: On beef’s bumpy road, is there a way back?

Australia has been a major supplier of beef to China over the past decade, but how big a role it will play in helping to bridge China’s beef deficit in future remains shrouded in a trade policy climate that is as complex as it is unclear…Read More

James Nason, 22/04/2024

Markets

Roma store sale 23 Apr 2024: Prices soften with large numbers

All the regular processors feedlotters and backgrounders present and active. With the pressure of the large numbers prices continue to soften…Read More

Beef Central, 24/04/2024

Markets

Online listings hit four-month high, at 21,399 head

Online cattle listings on AuctionsPlus hit a four-month high this week, reaching 21,399 head, up 30pc on last week. Most young cattle categories came under price pressure, with the exception of heavy feeder steers and heifers +400kg…Read More

Beef Central, 20/04/2024

News

Credible science needed to underpin livestock narrative, RPC hears + PHOTOS

Australia’s largest pork producer says basing business decisions on science is key to making sure vital context is going into the narrative being created about the industry…Read More

Eric Barker, 19/04/2024

News

How much will each sector pay under proposed biosecurity levy?

The Federal Government has released greater detail on the proposed contribution of agricultural industry sectors under its biosecurity protection levy proposal…Read More

Beef Central, 19/04/2024

News

“Controlling the narrative” faces persistent anti-meat media campaign

While beef industry leaders are growing increasingly frustrated at article leaving out crucial pieces of science, a media campaign against the industry is persisting…Read More

Eric Barker, 22/04/2024

News

Record export trimmings price surge takes a breather – but it’s only temporary, traders say

Jon Condon, 24/04/2024

Industry Dashboard

Carbon Trading Market

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

Today

Source: Jarden

$A / $US

Updated 7am daily

Today

0.6487

Source: NAB

ASX Market Index

25 Apr 2024 (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

134475

Source: MLA's NLRS

EYCI

Eastern Young Cattle Indicator, c/kg

Today

594.5

Source: MLA's NLRS

90CL Cow

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

Today

969.5

Source: Steiner Consulting, MLA

Live Export

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

Today

350

Source: Trade contacts

SOI

Southern Oscillation Index (SOI)

Today

-0.86

Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology

Feeder Steer

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

Today

318.3

Source: Feeder Steer

What readers are saying

Central Queensland feedlot taking sorghum to the next level

This story brought back memories Eric Barker, and fascination about the extent of the nominated areas where sorghum can now be found, as in Emerald, Springsure, Capella and Belyando....

Peter Dunn

Record export trimmings price surge takes a breather – but it’s only temporary, traders say

With another La Nina on the cards which means a higher chance of it being dry in the USA, makes you wonder if it does go dry there again,....

Paul Franks

China deep dive: On beef’s bumpy road, is there a way back?

Good report James Nason, and well done, Professor Scott Waldren, for providing clarity on the vulnerability of China's beef requirements. Behind all the huffing and puffing of China's trade....

Peter Dunn

Glencore sticks by carbon capture project with calls for Govt intervention

This proposal is just terrifying. The Great Artesian Basin is a huge clean water asset. Carbon dioxide acidity may cause leaching of heavy metals like cadmium to....

Jane Tannahill-irons

Record export trimmings price surge takes a breather – but it’s only temporary, traders say

Jon Condon, 24/04/2024

Applications extended for female leadership program

Women wanting to increase their leadership skills and contribute to narrowing the gender gap in agriculture still have time to apply for the National Farmers’ Federation flagship Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program. ..Read More

Beef Central, 24/04/2024

Industry “still in dark” on biosecurity protection levy

Australia’s livestock industries were still “in the dark’ on how the Federal Government’s proposed biosecurity protection levy would be collected just months from its proposed commencement on 1 July this year…Read More

Beef Central, 23/04/2024

Vets association calls for university fee relief for regional vets

The Australian Veterinary Association has backed calls for a series of measures to urgently address workforce shortages in regional and remote Australia…Read More

Beef Central, 23/04/2024

Markets

Roma store sale 23 Apr 2024: Prices soften with large numbers

All the regular processors feedlotters and backgrounders present and active. With the pressure of the large numbers prices continue to soften…Read More

Beef Central, 24/04/2024

Wagga sale 22 April 2024: Price correction in shorter trading week

The export market experienced a notable price correction across the cow and bullock classes, largely influenced by bigger numbers and a shorter trading week…Read More

Leann Dax, 23/04/2024

Online listings hit four-month high, at 21,399 head

Beef Central, 20/04/2024

Dalby sale 18 April 2024: market eases as numbers climb

Cattle numbers at the Dalby Cattle Sale continued to climb this week, with an increase of 2,196 head to a total of 5,011…Read More

Trevor Hess, 18/04/2024

Farm Management Deposits front of mind as EOFY approaches

NAB is encouraging primary producers to mark 28 June as a critical date if they’re considering or already utilising Farm Management Deposits (FMDs) as part of their tax planning this financial year…Read More

Beef Central, 22/04/2024

Webinar: Enhancing preparedness for emergency animal diseases in northern Australia

BIOSECURITY for livestock businesses has always been and is even more so top of mind for all livestock owners and managers. Join us on Tuesday, 23 April from 12.30pm..Read More

Beef Central, 19/04/2024

Building drought resilience into ‘Karalee’, Enngonia

Enngonia farm managers Martha Lindstad and Robert James have set out to build more drought resilience into ‘Karalee’, a rangeland grazing operation and part of the SLM Group…Read More

Beef Central, 16/04/2024

Processing

Red Meat R&D Update: Shadow robots reality a step closer + VIDEO

Beef Central, 24/04/2024

Weekly kill: Short trading weeks plus abundant supply pressuring prices

Downwards adjustments continued in some export processor price grids this week, but the changes appeared principally to be about aligning over-the-hooks prices with competitors who changed their quotes earlier. With long delays due to weather, congestion in supply is presenting as a real danger in coming months..Read More

Beef Central, 23/04/2024

Qld’s Kilcoy export beef plant first to achieve carbon neutral certification

Kilcoy Global Foods’ grainfed processing facility north of Brisbane has become the first and only large-scale beef plant in Australia, and potentially the world, to reach certified carbon neutral status…Read More

Beef Central, 18/04/2024

Weekly kill: Surge in numbers tempers direct consignment and saleyards prices

There’s been a big turnaround in slaughter cattle supply dynamics this week, as cattle country starts to dry out after earlier persistent rain…Read More

Jon Condon, 16/04/2024

Lotfeeding

Central Queensland feedlot taking sorghum to the next level

One of Central Queensland’s early movers into lotfeeding has been paving a path for large-scale utilisation of one of the area’s most reliable grains – sorghum…Read More

Eric Barker, 24/04/2024

Feedgrain Focus: Sowing focus, lower dollar lift wheat, barley

Prices for winter cereals have risen by up to $10/t in the past week to reflect stronger export demand for wheat and a local call for barley…Read More

Liz Wells, 19/04/2024

Feedgrain Focus: North firms, south softens as planting starts

Traded volume in the north remains thin as the market waits for a clearer picture of sorghum quality post-rain to develop…Read More

Liz Wells, 15/04/2024

Feedgrain Focus: Prices jump after wet week for sorghum

Prices for wheat, barley and sorghum have risen by at least $10/t in the past week, with rain on ripe Downs sorghum crops being the big local driver…Read More

Liz Wells, 08/04/2024

Live Export

Indonesian cattle imports surge to near four-year high in March

Australia recorded its biggest month of cattle exports to Indonesia almost four years in March, delivering 62,041 cattle to Indonesian lot feeders during the month…Read More

Beef Central, 16/04/2024

SE Asia Report: Ramifications of delayed import permits hitting home

South East Asian countries are seeing the ramifications of government decisions which impact food staple flows as Indonesia experiences soaring beef and cattle prices in the aftermath of its early 2024 delay to release import permits for live cattle and beef imports, and the China pig and dairy industries struggle against increased imports and slowing consumer consumption…Read More

Dr Michael Patching, 12/04/2024

Botulism deaths hit live export, but could happen anywhere

A point not widely reported following the deaths of about 150 Australian cattle on a livestock shipment to Indonesia last week is that about 50 cattle from the same property also died at the same time in the pre-export yards near Darwin…Read More

James Nason, 02/04/2024

Cause of NT cattle deaths still being investigated

The cause of the deaths of over 100 Australian cattle on a livestock shipment to Indonesia last weekend, and a further 50 cattle from the same cohort which simultaneously died at an export quarantine facility near Darwin, is still yet to be determined, officials say…Read More

James Nason, 28/03/2024

Trade

Shadow trade minister calls for greater focus on removal of Chinese trade barriers

Following the Chinese Government’s official removal of the hefty tariffs imposed on Australian barley and wine, Shadow Minister for Trade and Tourism Kevin Hogan has called for the focus to..Read More

Beef Central, 23/04/2024

Consumer retail confidence lifting, but still patchy

After a tough 2023, Australian consumer confidence is on the rise, however it remains patchy, a new consumer survey has found…Read More

Beef Central, 22/04/2024

Why global trade rules are integral to the beef industry’s future

Some of the beef industry’s brightest young minds have been encouraged to pay attention to global trade trends with Australia’s most important partners starting to change their priorities…Read More

Eric Barker, 08/04/2024

Australia’s March and first quarter beef exports soar

Momentum being seen this year in slaughter activity is being carried through with dramatically higher Australian beef exports during March, and the full first quarter. Despite the early Easter holiday impact this year, March exports to all markets reached 106,573t, more than 14pc higher than the previous month, and 7pc higher than March last year…Read More

Jon Condon, 05/04/2024

Genetics

Weekly genetics review: Considering the value of Fixed-Time AI – don’t look at cost in isolation

There’s been some vigorous recent industry discussion about evaluating the costs and benefits of an AI program over natural mating. Genetics editor Al Rayner takes a deep-dive into the topic in this week’s review, finding its a complex space ..Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 23/04/2024

Weekly genetics review: Discovering your next bull, the value of including genomics

This week the focus is on the value of including genomics in breeding data for EBVs. While genomics does improve EBV accuracy, it can also show the actual spread in traits that are recorded. This could mean bull buyers can more effectively rank bulls on genetic merit and not overlook potential sires when they make selections on EBVs that do not have genomics behind them. ..Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 16/04/2024

Donor females sell to $130,000 at Elite Wagyu Sale

High-ranking donor type females were in strong demand during the Elite Wagyu Sale held during last week’s 2024 Australian Wagyu Association Conference, where females sold to international buyers for up to $130,000…Read More

Beef Central, 16/04/2024

Weekly genetics review: How much focus should be placed on EMA?

Eye Muscle Area is a trait often discussed by producers as being a desirable trait to include in their selection decisions. However narrowing down the reason as to why that trait is so desirable often results in some generally vague responses…Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 09/04/2024

Ag Tech

Study takes sky-high approach to animal welfare in WA

Researches learned that drones could be very effective and efficient, increase biosecurity, reduce work health and safety risks, and reduce stress to the animals…Read More

Guest Author, 12/04/2024

50pc rebates for smart farming tech available through $30 million On Farm Connectivity Program

Applications are open for Round 1 of the Albanese Government’s new On Farm Connectivity Program (OFCP) to increase the uptake of agtech to boost productivity, growth and sustainability of Australia’s primary producers…Read More

Beef Central, 11/12/2023

Sunshine Coast business wins Ag category award at Innovate with nbn 2023

A company helping butchers to monitor the cooking and cooling temperatures of all cooked/dried products was named as the Agriculture category winner of the 2023 Innovate with nbn Grants Program awards announced last night in Sydney…Read More

Beef Central, 27/11/2023

Drone survey a positive step towards better regulations for ag

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority is calling on producers using or intending to use drones for activities like mustering and spraying to help improve the regulatory framework…Read More

Beef Central, 01/11/2023

AgProperty Central

Weekly property review: Recently completed sales

Property editor Linda Rowley, 24/04/2024

Movement at the station: Recent property listings

Property editor Linda Rowley, 24/04/2024

Weekly property review: Australian agribusiness takes top spot despite plummeting Chinese investment

Australian agribusiness is set to overtake mining as China’s top destination for investment in this country, a new report has found…Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 17/04/2024

State Govt purchases Western Qld station with $21m donation

The Queensland Government has secured the purchase of a Western Queensland cattle station, with the help of a $21m philanthropic donation…Read More

Beef Central, 17/04/2024

AgCarbon Central

Greenwashing inquiry reflects difficulty in regulating climate claims

Carbon neutral claims have come under fresh controversy after a senate inquiry into Greenwashing heard an Australian Government certification program, Climate Active, had not been given the stamp approval from the regulator…Read More

Eric Barker, 23/04/2024

Qld’s Kilcoy export beef plant first to achieve carbon neutral certification

Beef Central, 18/04/2024

Organisation setting beef industry targets changes carbon credit rules

An organisation which has been quietly setting a lot of beef industry targets has made a big shift in its position on carbon credits…Read More

Eric Barker, 18/04/2024

Federal Govt announces first stage of environmental reforms

Federal Environment minister Tanya Plibersek has today announced the second stage of the Government’s Nature Positive Plan, pledging to streamline the process for new renewable energy projects and announcing a new national Environmental Protection Agency…Read More

Beef Central, 16/04/2024