Home - Beef Central

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

News

Better access to finance key reason for NCMC considering move away from co-op structure

After operating for 90 years under a cooperative business model, the Northern Cooperative Meat Co processing business near Casino is asking its members to consider a move to an unlisted public company structure…Read More

Beef Central, 18/04/2024

Carbon

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

News

Survey shows farmers will walk away if PALM worker access is further eroded

Farmers are warning they will change what they grow or even walk away from farming if their access to overseas workers is reduced, new survey data from the National Farmers..Read More

Beef Central, 18/04/2024

News

Avian influenza never found in Australia, emphasises CA

The grassfed cattle industry’s peak body has emphasised the fact that avian influenza, which is currently impacting US dairy cattle, has never been found in Australian wild birds, poultry or livestock…Read More

Beef Central, 18/04/2024

Property

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

Markets

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

News

Qld to trial farm-gate price monitoring scheme

The scheme will work across industry to collate and analyse farm financial performance, historical data and weekly wholesale and retail pricing data to monitor trends across the top 20 products…Read More

Beef Central, 18/04/2024

News

Does limited slaughter capacity risk undermining cattle prices this year?

Beef Central, 17/04/2024

Property

State Govt purchases Western Qld station with $21m donation

Beef Central, 17/04/2024

Beef 2024 Preview

Beef 2024 – Meaty Bites

Beef Central, 17/04/2024

National Feed Base

National Feedbase Summary 17 April 2024

Al Rayner, Cibo Labs, 17/04/2024

News

APVMA to stay in Armidale as independent authority

Beef Central, 17/04/2024

Markets

Roma store sale 16 Apr 2024: Light yearling steers stronger

Beef Central, 17/04/2024

Markets

Wagga sale 15 April 2024: Market eases 20c/kg

In the cow market, traction significantly waned as both heavy and leaner types saw a decline of 20c/kg, while store cows faced reductions of 20c to 40c/kg…Read More

Leann Dax, 15/04/2024

Live Export

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

The Weekly Grill

S4 Ep12: Northern property market, with valuer Frank Peacocke

Weekly Grill podcast host Kerry Lonergan this week turns up the heat on Darwin-based rural property valuer Frank Peacocke, discussing the outlook for land values in the Northern Territory and Kimberley region, alternate land use with the region’s emerging farming sector, carbon opportunities and other issues…Read More

Beef Central, 12/04/2024

Weather

Weekly rainfall update + rainfall outlook 16 Apr 2024

A STRONG cold front crossed southern South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and southern New South Wales with widespread light to moderate rainfall, and snow in some alpine areas. Ex-Severe Tropical Cyclone..Read More

Bureau of Meteorology, 16/04/2024

National Feed Base

National Feedbase Summary 17 April 2024

National biomass levels continue to be dominated by the high levels of growth in northern Australia…Read More

Al Rayner, Cibo Labs, 17/04/2024

Production

Pasture dieback spreading to new parts of Queensland

Graziers are being urged to keep an eye out for pasture dieback, which is continuing to spread to new areas of Queensland…Read More

Beef Central, 15/04/2024

News

Aussie cattle prices could double in the next two years, Wagyu conference told

Australian cattle prices could double over the next two years, but specialised segments like Wagyu feeders could take up to two years longer, delegates at the Australian Wagyu Association annual conference in Cairns were told this week…Read More

Jon Condon, 12/04/2024

Property

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

Markets

Roma store sale 16 Apr 2024: Light yearling steers stronger

With the roads drying out and the back log of cattle Roma Agents yarded 9,190 head 5,555 more than the previous sale…Read More

Beef Central, 17/04/2024

News

Plant-based bubble has burst, CEO of closed startup contends

One of the Asia-Pacific region’s largest manufacturers of plant-based “fake meats” is closing, saying investors have lost faith in the business…Read More

James Nason, 12/04/2024

Industry Dashboard

Carbon Trading Market

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

Today

Source: Jarden

$A / $US

Updated 7am daily

Today

0.6435

Source: NAB

ASX Market Index

18 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

131061

Source: MLA's NLRS

EYCI

Eastern Young Cattle Indicator, c/kg

Today

599.7

Source: MLA's NLRS

90CL Cow

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

Today

952.3

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

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

Aussie cattle prices could double in the next two years, Wagyu conference told

Hi Jon Excellent article and it seems a very positive future for the red meat industry. The biggest issue the Australian beef industry has is the difference between the price....

warren hunter

Climate targets should recognise cattle aren’t “one-way” emitters, ICMJ told

Good on Adam Coffey and CA for highlighting the idea that cattle only emit carbon base molecules . Cattle must be recognised as carbon sinks as part of the....

David Stanley Lovelock

Chris Howie: Don’t miss the well-established demand for guaranteed grassfed

You could add to opportunities: road trains of sheep and cattle out of WA. Very cheap at the moment compared to the prices listed here.....

Paul Fry

Better access to finance key reason for NCMC considering move away from co-op structure

Beef Central, 18/04/2024

Survey shows farmers will walk away if PALM worker access is further eroded

Farmers are warning they will change what they grow or even walk away from farming if their access to overseas workers is reduced, new survey data from the National Farmers..Read More

Beef Central, 18/04/2024

Avian influenza never found in Australia, emphasises CA

Beef Central, 18/04/2024

Qld to trial farm-gate price monitoring scheme

Beef Central, 18/04/2024

Markets

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

Roma store sale 16 Apr 2024: Light yearling steers stronger

With the roads drying out and the back log of cattle Roma Agents yarded 9,190 head 5,555 more than the previous sale…Read More

Beef Central, 17/04/2024

Online listings double to 16,456 head, but clearance declines

There was a big jump in listings on AuctionsPlus this week, although the clearance dropped to 48pc from 77pc the week before. Medium and heavier steer and heifer categories were either steady , or somewhat higher than last week in c/kg terms, while lighter categories tended to soften…Read More

Jon Condon, 14/04/2024

Wagga sale 15 April 2024: Market eases 20c/kg

In the cow market, traction significantly waned as both heavy and leaner types saw a decline of 20c/kg, while store cows faced reductions of 20c to 40c/kg…Read More

Leann Dax, 15/04/2024

Pasture dieback spreading to new parts of Queensland

Graziers are being urged to keep an eye out for pasture dieback, which is continuing to spread to new areas of Queensland…Read More

Beef Central, 15/04/2024

NSW Govt inquiry scrutinises virtual fencing, on animal welfare grounds

A proposed amendment to the NSW Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act would clear the path for the use of virtual fencing technology on NSW livestock properties…Read More

Beef Central, 09/04/2024

Clarification sought on dingo classification change

Australia’s Wild Dog Action Plan and the South Australian Government are seeking clarification on how classification and regulatory changes concerning the dingo in Victoria will affect control programs in the state…Read More

Terry Sim, 09/04/2024

Processing

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

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

JBS plans largest beef plant in South America, as Brazil’s China access expands

Global red meat processor JBS plans to invest around R$150 million to double the production capacity of its plant near Campo Grande in Brazil’s Mato Grosso do Sul region, creating the largest beef facility in all of Latin America..Read More

Beef Central, 16/04/2024

Weekly kill: Some grids rise, on back of weather-related supply challenges

Northern direct consignment slaughter grid prices have risen sharply since Friday, as processors struggle to fill kill rosters due to further weather disruptions…Read More

Jon Condon, 09/04/2024

Lotfeeding

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

Feedgrain Focus: Rain firms northern market

Prices for feed grain in the northern market have lifted this week in response to rain that has stopped or slowed the sorghum harvest and outturn of all grains…Read More

Liz Wells, 02/04/2024

ACCC clears path for sale of Performance Feeds supplement business to Graincorp

The ACCC says it will not oppose the acquisition of animal feed supplement supplier Performance Feeds by Graincorp Ltd. At the time the takeover was announced last November, some concerns were raised about concentration of ownership in the livestock liquid feed supplement field…Read More

Beef Central, 21/03/2024

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

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

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

Strong meat consumption, evolving consumer trends in latest US Power of Meat report

The number of Americans who describe themselves as meat eaters (80pc) and the number of households that purchase meat (98pc) remain steady from last year, while the number seeking to decrease meat consumption has declined by 20pc since 2020, according to an important annual consumer survey released yesterday. Many of the findings are equally relevant to the Australian consumer market ..Read More

Beef Central, 20/03/2024

Domestic wholesale beef prices show solid lift

There’s been a solid rise in domestic wholesale beef prices recently, with many popular cuts and grinding meat now 15-20pc higher in value than they were in December. That’s come despite a sharp rise in production during February and early March, with some recent weekly national beef kills hitting four-year highs above 128,000 head…Read More

Jon Condon, 07/03/2024

Genetics

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

Weekly genetics review: Lifting lean meat yield – what can we learn from Sydney Show led steers

Sydney Royal Easter Show’s led steer competition is over for another year, with entries in the lightweight and mediumweight divisions producing estimated lean meat yields ranging from 51.36pc to 66.11pc. All other traits being equal, that means a difference of 44kg of additional lean meat, between two carcases each weighing 300kg. Are there implications for industry?..Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 02/04/2024

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: 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

Weekly property review: Recently completed sales

McIntyres expand footprint with Roma feedlot | Charters Towers family buys Cape York station | Charbray producers secure Mount Lonsdale | Qld western downs country purchased by neighbour | A Biggenden family pays for water security..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 10/04/2024

Movement at the station: Recent property listings

Breeding & backgrounding near Meandarra | Good interest in western Qld backgrounding country | Fully exclusion fenced breeding & backgrounding in SW Qld | Two neighbours list three properties in western Qld | EOIs for NT’s Dorisvale Station | NQ freehold block returns to the market | Reduced price for Gunning’s Walwa | NSW far south-west country offers diversity | Two Qld blocks attract downsizers and entry level producers..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 10/04/2024

AgCarbon Central

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

Trillions of tonnes of carbon locked in soil has been left out of environmental models – and it’s on the move

We all know about the carbon in Earth’s atmosphere, and probably about the carbon contained in plants and the bodies of animals. But a substantial fraction of the carbon in the planet’s land-based ecosystems is held in something so obvious we might overlook it: soil…Read More

Yuanyuan Huang, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Pep Canadell, CSIRO, and Yingping Wang, CSIRO, 15/04/2024