Home - Beef Central

FarmFest pulls a crowd for 50th birthday + PICS

Visitors from across southern Queensland and beyond turned out in their thousands for the opening day of FarmFest, which this year is celebrating its 50th birthday…Read More

Liz Wells, 03/06/2025

Processing

Weekly kill: Weather, southern competition pressuring cow prices

Growing southern processor competition and smaller yardings following rain have pushed slaughter cow prices sharply higher in eastern states saleyards over the past week, but bookings already held by processors have seen direct consignment cow prices resist the trend – for the timebeing, at least…Read More

Jon Condon, 03/06/2025

Production

Qld and NT want branding to remain mandatory

Qld and the NT are the only two jurisdictions where branding cattle is still mandatory and industry groups don’t want that to change. ..Read More

Lydia Burton, 03/06/2025

News

Victorian spy-cam inquiry side-steps farm trespass activist raids

Victorian law-makers have side-stepped a call to ban animal activists from illegally filming on farms, feedlots and abattoirs, and then sharing the images publicly…Read More

Sue Webster, 03/06/2025

Production

Dashboard to help producers tackle livestock GHG emissions and improve profitability

A new project is set to support livestock producers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve profitability, with the development of a digital dashboard to display estimates of emissions, primarily from methane, and emissions intensity of growing cattle…Read More

Beef Central, 03/06/2025

News

Beef Central Quiz – June 2025

Questions to test your grey matter on the red meat industry and recent news events…Read More

Beef Central, 03/06/2025

News

Opinion: Firearm calls falling on deaf ears

There’s growing concern in Ag circles about the overreach by the Queensland Police Service’s Weapons Licensing Branch applying increasing restrictions on farmers’ legitimate use of so-called large calibre weapons and other firearms, in their workplace. AgForce general president Shane McCarthy why the organisation wants to see a change in the way firearms are legislated…Read More

AgForce general president Shane McCarthy, 02/06/2025

Weather

Weekly rainfall update + rainfall outlook 2 June 2025

Weekly rainfall totals of 15-50mm were recorded over large parts of the Kimberley, western regions of the NT, parts of south-eastern South Australia, more easterly parts of southern Queensland and NSW over the past seven days..Read More

Bureau of Meteorology, 03/06/2025

Markets

Wagga sale 2 June: Numbers surge to 5755 head

Leann Dax, 03/06/2025

News

Brazil achieves FMD-freedom without vax: what does it mean for world beef trade?

Beef Central, 31/05/2025

Live Export

Indonesia allows live cattle imports from Brazil and NZ: Govt official

James Nason, 02/06/2025

Markets

Weekly cattle markets wrap: Rain changes sentiment, provides circuit breaker for large northern supplies

Beef Central, 02/06/2025

News

Drought loan calls continue despite $2m counselling boost

Beef Central, 02/06/2025

Production

Biosecurity fees waived as SA border opens for some desperately needed WA hay

Terry Sim, 02/06/2025

Industry Dashboard

Carbon Trading Market

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

Today

35.4

Source: Jarden

$A / $US

Updated 7am daily

Today

0.6496

Source: NAB

ASX Market Index

03 Jun 2025 (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

152396

Source: MLA's NLRS

EYCI

Eastern Young Cattle Indicator, c/kg

Today

724.3

Source: MLA's NLRS

90CL Cow

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

Today

1048.5

Source: Steiner Consulting, MLA

Live Export

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

Today

345

Source: Trade contacts

SOI

Southern Oscillation Index (SOI)

Today

3.62

Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology

Feeder Steer

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

Today

382.6

Source: Feeder Steer

What readers are saying

European Commission declares Australia “low risk” for deforestation

Congratulations to all those who contributed to Australia being declared a “low risk” country in the European Union’s ban on the import of goods linked to ‘deforestation’. Meanwhile The Wilderness....

Bill Burrows

Indonesia increases 2025 cattle import quota

I believe it's essential for Indonesia to safeguard its domestic feedlot operations while also empowering small-scale backyard farmers. By ensuring feedlots remain sustainable through targeted support—such as modernizing infrastructure,....

SVinindias Tan

Mass exodus of southern cattle to Qld for greener pastures

We're located in Southern NSW, North East Victoria. We have been feeding breeders since this time last year. The sale of all our feeder cattle early has helped. Limited rain for....

Graham Star

Vale David Warriner

A great tribute to a great bloke. Thank you James Nason and everyone else who contributed.....

Greg Campbell

FarmFest pulls a crowd for 50th birthday + PICS

Visitors from across southern Queensland and beyond turned out in their thousands for the opening day of FarmFest, which this year is celebrating its 50th birthday…Read More

Liz Wells, 03/06/2025

Victorian spy-cam inquiry side-steps farm trespass activist raids

Victorian law-makers have side-stepped a call to ban animal activists from illegally filming on farms, feedlots and abattoirs, and then sharing the images publicly…Read More

Sue Webster, 03/06/2025

Beef Central Quiz – June 2025

Questions to test your grey matter on the red meat industry and recent news events…Read More

Beef Central, 03/06/2025

Opinion: Firearm calls falling on deaf ears

AgForce general president Shane McCarthy, 02/06/2025

Markets

Wagga sale 2 June: Numbers surge to 5755 head

There was a lift in numbers and the quality was again mixed at Wagga sale yesterday. Weaners were back in numbers but still plenty were supplied, yearling feeders were well represented with buyers after weight. T..Read More

Leann Dax, 03/06/2025

Weekly cattle markets wrap: Rain changes sentiment, provides circuit breaker for large northern supplies

Recent rain through the NT and parts of northern and central QLD and the Darling Downs has provided a circuit-breaker for the northern cattle industry. Although pastures are starting to hay off, there are still patches of green and with temperatures remaining warm, there will be some late season feed growth in some areas, local agents suggest…Read More

Beef Central, 02/06/2025

Steers stronger in smaller 11,983 head online offering

Offerings fell 12pc in online trading this week, with 11,983 head presented on AuctionsPlus. All five steer weight categories and the lighter end of the heifers increased in c/kg value, while breeding female values were mostly down…Read More

Beef Central, 31/05/2025

Dubbo sale 29 May 2025: Numbers remain similar

Good lines of cows yarded along with large some consignments in from the far west providing good numbers of weaners and cows in store condition…Read More

David Monk, 30/05/2025

Beef Central, 03/06/2025

Biosecurity fees waived as SA border opens for some desperately needed WA hay

South Australia has waived biosecurity inspection fees for drought-impacted local farmers importing fodder for interstate and updated import requirements for hay from Western Australia. Although biosecurity inspections of imported hay will continue, SA farmers impacted by drought will have their fees waived, the state government has advised…Read More

Terry Sim, 02/06/2025

The new portable yards livestock transporters do not want to use

Queensland livestock transporters have unveiled a new purpose-built trailer to help the industry better respond to roll-over emergencies in the more populated areas of the state…Read More

Eric Barker, 30/05/2025

Processing

Weekly kill: Weather, southern competition pressuring cow prices

Jon Condon, 03/06/2025

Processors wanted for cost-saving knife steriliser trials

Australian red meat processors are being invited to submit expressions of interest to take part in an industry adoption project for a knife steriliser system which has proven to dramatically cut water and energy use…Read More

Beef Central, 28/05/2025

Weekly kill: Growth in grainfed slaughter is a factor in limiting kill access for other cattle

Rain in some parts of southern Australia has impacted rates of slaughter and saleyards numbers over the past week, however there’s been little change in direct consignment grid prices, with plenty of paddock cattle still being presented. ..Read More

Jon Condon, 27/05/2025

Weekly kill: Most grids steady, but supply pressure continues

There’s been only a few changes in direct consignment slaughter cattle pricing over the past week, following a series of earlier downward corrections. Heavy supply continues to dominate discussions, with most Queensland and some southern export processors now booked well into June, and even into July in some regions…Read More

Jon Condon, 20/05/2025

Lotfeeding

Feedgrain Focus: Values drop after patchy southern rain

Prices paid for wheat and barley have dropped by up to $10/t in the past week on softer offshore markets, and rain in dry parts of southern NSW. ..Read More

Liz Wells, 02/06/2025

Feeder cattle market: Market softens as rain brings some optimism

Rain in Southern New South Wales has put some optimism into the feeder market after record selloffs in recent weeks…Read More

Eric Barker and Jon Condon, 26/05/2025

Feedgrain Focus: South softens ahead of forecast rain

Corn, hay, and straw are being sought in southern markets as rain starts to push into southern NSW, and export demand for all grains eases in the north and south…Read More

Liz Wells, 26/05/2025

Average days on feed down, but utilisation and turnoff up in busy grainfed space

A reduction in longer fed cattle in Australian feedlots (particularly Wagyu) over the last few quarters has seen the average days on feed continue to ease down from 172 days in 2023 to 164 days in 2024. As at Q1, 2025 the average number of days on feed has dropped further to sit at 159 days…Read More

Matt Dalgleish, Ep3, 22/05/2025

Live Export

Indonesia allows live cattle imports from Brazil and NZ: Govt official

Indonesia has broadened its live cattle supply options to include Brazil and New Zealand, a senior Indonesian Government figure has announced…Read More

James Nason, 02/06/2025

NT cattle exporters urge stability as Darwin Port tussle reignites

The tug-of-war over the ownership of the Port of Darwin is being watched with interest in the northern livestock sector which exports hundreds of thousands of cattle from the northern port to South East Asia each year…Read More

James Nason, 30/05/2025

Where Australian livestock were exported in 2024

A just-released 20-page State of the Industry report details key livestock export statistics for 2024, such as species exported, destinations, and delivery rates. ..Read More

Beef Central, 23/05/2025

Indonesia increases 2025 cattle import quota

Indonesia has increased its annual 2025 cattle import quota by 184,000 head, adding to the 350,000 head allocation released at the start of the year…Read More

James Nason, 21/05/2025

Trade

Australian beef faces triggering of China’s Safeguard tariff in coming months

Vigorous beef export sales into China in recent months has elevated the likelihood of Australia triggering its 2025 Safeguard tariff mechanism for the market, as early as late July or August. Importers anticipating the arrival of the extra tariff is only throwing fuel on the fire…Read More

Jon Condon, 30/05/2025

International chefs and influencers embark on week-long Australian beef delegation

A group of internationally acclaimed chefs, food professionals and influencers are in Australia as part of an immersive experience to promote Aussie beef to the world…Read More

Beef Central, 28/05/2025

NFF supports an EU trade deal, but not at any price

Australia’s peak farmer body has offered qualified support for the resumption of free trade agreement talks with the European Union…Read More

Beef Central, 19/05/2025

Woolworths cuts prices on 400 ‘essentials’, but red meat barely represented

National supermarket retailer Woolworths has lowered prices on 400 ‘essential and favourite’ items from today, effective until the end of the year. The discounts come after both major supermarket retailers were accused of price gouging, manipulating suppliers and working against the expansion interests of other retailers via inquiries conducted by ACCC and other groups…Read More

Jon Condon, 14/05/2025

Genetics

A salute to a ‘household name’ in the Australian Wagyu world

There’s only a handful of bulls of any breed that truly transition across into becoming ‘household names’ in the beef industry. Michifuku is one that’s achieved it in the Wagyu industry, with some of his last remaining semen being offered to the markret this week sold this week..Read More

Beef Central, 30/05/2025

Feed efficiency part of breeding the ‘ideal cow’

Matching cows to the environment and production system was the key message from United States animal scientist Professor Dan Shike during a session exploring the topic of “What’s the Ideal Cow?” during the World Angus Expo in Tamworth on the weekend. He identified feed efficiency as a future selection target ..Read More

Brett Tindal, 06/05/2025

Leveraging genetic innovation driving smaller US beef herd

The links between how history has created where we started, how technology has driven where the beef industry is currently at, and how genetic opportunity will drive where the industry goes next was explored during the World Angus Forum in Tamworth on the weekend…Read More

Brett Tindal, 05/05/2025

Angus genetics driving brand transformation at JBS

The demand for highly consistent quality beef, backed by a provenance story and a validation of what a customer is eating and consistently enjoys has been the major driver for JBS Australia’s Southern grassfed operations transitioning to predominantly an Angus breed base, delegates attending the World Angus Forum on the weekend heard…Read More

Brett Tindal, 05/05/2025

Ag Tech

Victoria set to follow other States by legalising virtual fencing

Victoria is set to follow most other Australian states in legalising the use of virtual fencing technology for managing livestock…Read More

Beef Central, 22/05/2025

SA producers still blocked from proven technology as NSW green lights virtual fencing

Livestock SA is calling on the South Australian Government to urgently reform outdated regulations that continue to block livestock producers from using virtual fencing, as New South Wales becomes the latest state to legalise the technology…Read More

Beef Central, 02/05/2025

AgTech success story as Optiweigh delivers 1000th in-paddock weighing unit

One of Australia’s agtech success stories has crossed a significant milestone, with the delivery of the 1000th Optiweigh unit to one of the company’s early adopters…Read More

Eric Barker, 30/01/2025

Scholarship to help keep Luke on the land after life-altering car crash

A North Queensland cattleman who became a quadraplegic after a car crash has received a bursary to become a drone pilot, to assist with work on his family’s cattle property…Read More

Beef Central, 29/01/2025

AgProperty Central

Locals secure Mt Isa’s May Downs for $47.5m, after spirited auction bidding

Established local cattle producers the McMillan family have paid $47.5 million to secure large scale Mt Isa district breeding property May Downs, after a spirited bidding dual at auction this morning. ..Read More

Beef Central, 29/05/2025

Weekly property review: Recently completed sales

Roma’s Amby Hills sells prior to auction for around $24m | $12.4m for Teelba Valley’s Glen Elgin | Dawson Valley quality grazing asset sells | CQ’s Amatunga passes in..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 28/05/2025

Movement at the Station – Recently property listings

High rainfall & improved pastures on coastal Gin Gin country | New England’s Rockleigh Station offers grazing & fodder | Versatile Qld Scenic Rim aggregation | EOIs for Neumayer Valley & Elrose close July 10 | NQ’s Woodhouse Station lists for $55m | Downsize impressively with Toowoomba’s Stanton..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 28/05/2025

Cottonseed, fodder valued as NT cropping evolves

With the Northern Territory entering its second season of cotton ginning, it begs the question could it stimulate the sale of some suitable properties for producers interested in growing cotton?..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 27/05/2025

AgCarbon Central

Opinion: Govt needs to scale up opportunities for producers to reach emissions targets

As the dust settles on the Federal Election, we can be confident that the new government will continue to prioritise action on climate, building on the policies implemented in the last term. But there are big decisions to make on the ACCU scheme…Read More

Ashley Silver, 28/05/2025