Weekly kill: Cow prices defy gravity, as export grinding beef markets slide further

Saleyards cow prices appear to be defying gravity at present, in stark contrast with the export beef trimmings market which continues to deteriorate. The recent strengthening in cow prices in the saleyards appear to have forced processors’ hands, with some 20-30c/kg rises in direct consignment grid offers on cows this week, with some competitive operators in southern Queensland up to 690-700c/kg this week…Read More

Jon Condon, 01/09/2026

SE Asia Report: An early flicker of life in a stalled market

First-half Australian cattle exports fell 29 per cent and the squeeze is now biting downstream as Indonesian feedlots discount stock and ask for extended payment terms, while exports to another market in July represent potential green shoots in a previously large market…Read More

Dr Michael Patching, 01/09/2026

Trade restrictions starting to reshape global beef flows – Rabobank

The triggering of a range of trade restrictions – primarily from China – is beginning to reshape beef flows around the world, rural lender Rabobank says in its latest quarterly Global beef Report…Read More

Beef Central, 31/08/2026

CSIRO study finds refuge mounds have potential to save thousands of cattle during floods

A CSIRO study has found flood refuge mounds help livestock find safety during major floods, potentially saving thousands of cattle and protecting producers’ livelihood…Read More

Beef Central, 01/09/2026

Webinar: Piecing together a plan for Pimelea

Pimelea continues to challenge cattle producers across many regions of Northern and Central Australia , but understanding the plant, the risks, and the management options available can make all the difference. Approaches to managing pimelea in grazing areas will be the topic of an upcoming webinar running under the Beef Connect series…Read More

Beef Central, 01/09/2026

January deadline looms for Aussie beef producers under EU deforestation rules

Beef producers targeting the European Union market now have less than four months to ensure they are compliant with the EU’s Deforestation Regulations on imported beef, due to come into effect from 1 January…Read More

Jon Condon, 31/08/2026

Wagyu: A lesson in survival in the Indonesian feedlot sector

Beef Central’s live export specialist Dr Ross Ainsworth examines the remarkable history of Wagyu lotfeeding in Indonesia pioneered by Santori..Read More

Dr Ross Ainsworth, 31/08/2026

Feeder cattle market: Saleyards lead the charge in market rally

Feeder cattle prices have rallied in the past week, with rain across large parts of the country pulling up consignments and reducing numbers at the saleyards…Read More

Eric Barker, 31/08/2026



Industry Dashboard

Carbon Trading Market

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

Today

38.9
Source: Jarden

$A / $US

Updated 7am daily

Today

0.7166
Source: NAB

ASX Market Index

01 Sep 2026 (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

150172
Source: MLA's NLRS

EYCI

Eastern Young Cattle Indicator, c/kg

Today

971.4
Source: MLA's NLRS

90CL Cow

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

Today

1017
Source: Steiner Consulting, MLA

Live Export

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

Today

440
Source: Trade contacts

SOI

Southern Oscillation Index (SOI)

Today

-13.85
Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology

Feeder Steer

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

Today

482
Source: Feeder Steer

What readers are saying

NT cattle producers raise serious concerns over buffel grass economic assessment

Büffel grass and ponded pasture land forming were the basis of wind erosion control works around Alice Springs that started well before my career in soil science began in....

Ian Hollingsworth
More
When weight hides genetic merit in replacement heifers

Good points and a chance to learn ideas to improve my herd, thanks .....

Bill Robertson
More
Cattle levy review: History offers lessons for what comes next

The issue missing from David Palmer’s levy account is that the grassfed cattle producer is the person or entity compelled to pay the levy but does not have a....

Jock Douglas
More
How a feedlot became the next step for a growing family farming business

Well done fellas, a great read on the early stages of what will no doubt be a successful business going forward.....

Doug Knight
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News

CSIRO study finds refuge mounds have potential to save thousands of cattle during floods

A CSIRO study has found flood refuge mounds help livestock find safety during major floods, potentially saving thousands of cattle and protecting producers’ livelihood…Read More

Beef Central, 01/09/2026

January deadline looms for Aussie beef producers under EU deforestation rules

Beef producers targeting the European Union market now have less than four months to ensure they are compliant with the EU’s Deforestation Regulations on imported beef, due to come into effect from 1 January…Read More

Jon Condon, 31/08/2026

Wagyu: A lesson in survival in the Indonesian feedlot sector

Beef Central’s live export specialist Dr Ross Ainsworth examines the remarkable history of Wagyu lotfeeding in Indonesia pioneered by Santori..Read More

Dr Ross Ainsworth, 31/08/2026

Trump proposal to let ranchers process their own beef meets cool industry response

US President Donald Trump has pledged on social media to allow American cattle ranchers to process and sell their own meat to break what he called a “nasty monopoly” of four major processors…Read More

Beef Central, 31/08/2026

Markets

Offering slumps 33pc on AuctionsPlus, while most steer and heifer categories rally

Following the recent saleyards trend, numbers fell sharply on AuctionsPlus on Friday, with the catalogue of 6731 head back 33pc on the week before, and only a third of listings seen this time last month. Clearance lifted to 92pc on smaller numbers, with solid price rises across most steer and heifer weight categories…Read More

Beef Central, 29/08/2026

Wagga sale 31 August 2026: Restockers active on lighter cattle in 3600 head offering

The presence of a large field of buyers, all holding extra orders, contributed to a particularly dynamic market at Wagga this morning, where 3600 were yarded…Read More

Leann Dax, 31/08/2026

Dubbo sale 27 August 2026: Yarding falls to 1300, prices trend higher

The market sold to stronger trends at Dubbo yesterday, where a smaller yarding of 1300 head was offered, following the pattern seen across eastern Australia over the past week…Read More

David Monk, NLRS, 28/08/2026

Charters Towers 26 August 2026: Rates ease, despite smaller 1853 head yarding

Rates were softer than at the previous sale in a smaller yarding of 1853 head at Charters Towers yesterday..Read More

Beef Central, 28/08/2026

Sponsored Content

Elite offering of Droughtmaster females in Queen of the Ring catalogue, backed by Vytelle

Vytelle is proud to introduce the line-up of elite Droughtmaster females heading to the ring at this year’s Vytelle Queen of the Ring sale, being held on Tuesday 15 September at CQLX Gracemere. Drawn from some of the breed’s most respected studs, this year’s draft brings together females selected for fertility, temperament, structure and the maternal traits that keep commercial and stud herds performing year after year…Read More

Sponsored Content, 31/08/2026

Why livestock monitoring is moving beyond “finding cattle” to managing performance

For many producers, the first generation of livestock monitoring technology solved a simple but important problem: knowing where cattle were without having to physically locate them. Today, the conversation has shifted…Read More

Sponsored Content, 24/08/2026

Prosperity Vs Adversity – unlocking genetic progress for your herd

Breeding Shorthorn cattle in the heat and ticks of Central Queensland automatically sets the Marellan herd apart. But for principals, Lincoln and Lisa Jobs, this location is just the beginning of their breeding program…Read More

Sponsored Content, 17/08/2026

Still feeding the hard way?

Unlike traditional supplementation, which depends on cattle visiting a feeding point, water supplementation works with an animal’s natural daily behaviour. Every drink becomes an opportunity to deliver consistent nutrition…Read More

Sponsored Content, 10/08/2026

Production

Webinar: Piecing together a plan for Pimelea

Pimelea continues to challenge cattle producers across many regions of Northern and Central Australia , but understanding the plant, the risks, and the management options available can make all the difference. Approaches to managing pimelea in grazing areas will be the topic of an upcoming webinar running under the Beef Connect series…Read More

Beef Central, 01/09/2026

How to make every millimetre of rain count

The Treloars share their experience, having spent the past decade building a more resilient grazing operation capable of withstanding both flood and drought.
..Read More

Beef Central, 19/08/2026

Grower perspectives on the adoption, establishment and management of leucaena

Veteran leucaena researcher Dr Max Shelton recently completed a 1400km trip through Central Queensland to assess the establishment and management of the browse legume and to identify key issues affecting its adoption and use. Here’s what he found…Read More

Dr Max Shelton, 13/08/2026

Emerald agent takes out Qld Young Auctioneer Competition at 150th Ekka

Emerald based livestock agent Lachlan Spry has taken out the 2026 Queensland Young Auctioneers Competition at the Ekka. ..Read More

Lydia Burton, 05/08/2026

Processing

Weekly kill: Cow prices defy gravity, as export grinding beef markets slide further

Saleyards cow prices appear to be defying gravity at present, in stark contrast with the export beef trimmings market which continues to deteriorate. The recent strengthening in cow prices in the saleyards appear to have forced processors’ hands, with some 20-30c/kg rises in direct consignment grid offers on cows this week, with some competitive operators in southern Queensland up to 690-700c/kg this week…Read More

Jon Condon, 01/09/2026

Future red meat leaders get in-depth look at Qld industry

Some of Australia’s brightest young agriculture students will get a rare behind-the-scenes look at Qld’s red meat supply chain as part of the ICMJ Intensive Industry Education and Development Week…Read More

Beef Central, 31/08/2026

Weekly kill: Prospect of rain may slow supply, but some grids continue to slide

Forecasts of 15-50mm of rain in coming days across the eastern half of NSW, Victoria and southern Queensland may slow slaughter cattle supply for a period, however some Queensland direct consignment grids have shed-off another 10c/kg this week…Read More

Jon Condon, 25/08/2026

Nuffield: Improving access to beef grading technology for smaller abattoirs

Third-generation processor Calian Byrnes has researched beef grading eating quality technology around the world to find ways for smaller processors to implement it…Read More

Lydia Burton, 20/08/2026

Lotfeeding

Feeder cattle market: Saleyards lead the charge in market rally

Feeder cattle prices have rallied in the past week, with rain across large parts of the country pulling up consignments and reducing numbers at the saleyards…Read More

Eric Barker, 31/08/2026

Feedgrain Focus: Rain buys north time, road rates dear

The southern wheat market has bucked this week’s softening trend, while the northern and southern barley markets clock the weight of a bumper crop for Vic and southern NSW. ..Read More

Liz Wells, 31/08/2026

Sampling cattle helps ‘superbug’ battle

A Queensland feedlot is helping an Australian start-up with antimicrobial resistant expertise to fight a common cattle disease…Read More

Sue Webster, 27/08/2026

Feedgrain Focus: North softens to defy logic, south firms

Northern bids for wheat and barley have dropped by up to $15/t this week, despite production prospects for the region sliding as harvest nears…Read More

Liz Wells, 24/08/2026

Live Export

SE Asia Report: An early flicker of life in a stalled market

First-half Australian cattle exports fell 29 per cent and the squeeze is now biting downstream as Indonesian feedlots discount stock and ask for extended payment terms, while exports to another market in July represent potential green shoots in a previously large market…Read More

Dr Michael Patching, 01/09/2026

Nominations open for 2026 Livestock Export Young Achiever of the Year

The search is on for the next generation of leaders who will help shape the future of Australia’s livestock export industry…Read More

Beef Central, 28/08/2026

Global dairy heifer live export demand grows

Australian dairy farmers could be in the box seat to capitalise on a looming global shortage of high-quality dairy heifers, with demand growing across a range of international markets…Read More

Beef Central, 25/08/2026

Livestock industry unites behind 10-year Live Cattle Growth Plan

Australia’s live cattle industry has united behind an ambitious 10-year blueprint to strengthen one of the nation’s most important agricultural industries…Read More

Beef Central, 18/08/2026

Trade

Trade restrictions starting to reshape global beef flows – Rabobank

The triggering of a range of trade restrictions – primarily from China – is beginning to reshape beef flows around the world, rural lender Rabobank says in its latest quarterly Global beef Report…Read More

Beef Central, 31/08/2026

More questions than answers in Trump’s latest tariff announcement

US President Donald Trump has left the red meat industry with more questions than answers following his latest imported beef tariff relief announcement on Saturday morning, Australian time…Read More

Jon Condon, 24/08/2026

Export cow beef prices continue to deteriorate, as trade winds blow 

Prices for Australian export lean beef trimmings and cow beef used for burgers, tacos and other popular ground beef items have continued to deteriorate, as global beef trading conditions adjust to recent tariff headwinds…Read More

Jon Condon, 28/07/2026

Booming slow-cook BBQ movement explores fusion, secondary cuts

Some of the world’s most acclaimed competition BBQ chefs gathered in Brisbane for a Low & Slow BBQ festival on the weekend, attracting around 8000 meat-loving patrons. The talent on hand provided the perfect opportunity to get a handle on where the American BBQ movement is heading and what’s new…Read More

Jon Condon, 14/07/2026

Genetics

Crush-side DNA test delivers reliable results in less than 24 hours

Fast, on-farm genetic testing for cattle is practical and achievable for northern producers, according to a recent research project..Read More

Beef Central, 31/08/2026

Weekly genetics review: Which cows need your best country? The case for calving segregation

This week’s genetics review looks at how pregnancy testing, foetal ageing and lactation status can be used to group breeder cows and better match their nutritional demands to available country and supplementation…Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 25/08/2026

When weight hides genetic merit in replacement heifers

This article examines how selecting replacements mainly on size and weight can overlook genetically valuable daughters of younger cows, drawing on Dr Alex Ball’s recent research project and its implications for maternal genetic progress…Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 25/08/2026

Queensland stud takes bull sale online with its own 24-hour platform

A long-established Queensland stud is trialling a different selling method for its 2026 bull sale, in which it will conduct the entire sale over a 24-hour period through its own online bidding platform…Read More

James Nason, 18/08/2026

Ag Tech

User-friendly drone technology targeting weeds hovers into view

Land managers are closer to harnessing the benefits of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning technologies to help them manage Australia’s large and diverse exotic weed pest challenge…Read More

Beef Central, 28/08/2026

Technology to bolster on-farm biosecurity compliance

For biosecurity plans to be successful, they must be followed by everyone who enters a property. Technology has been developed to help make this easier…Read More

Lydia Burton, 07/08/2026

Virtual fencing delivers 99pc sheep, 96pc cattle compliance in US grazing trial

A year-long grazing trial in the United States has demonstrated high rates of compliance for cattle and sheep managed with virtual fencing technology…Read More

James Nason, 08/07/2026

High-tech simulator boosting safety on Queensland farms

A machinery simulation unit will be deployed to schools and feedlots across Qld as AgForce Training works to boost farm safety…Read More

Beef Central, 08/07/2026

AgProperty Central

Weekly property review: Recently completed sales

CW Qld family expands with NQ’s Woodhouse Station | Prime NSW Marra Creek country makes $15m | Nebo brothers pay $14.7m for Carnemore | Two NT depots sell separately..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 26/08/2026

Movement at the Station: Properties for sale in QLD and the NT

NQ beef operation with Gilbert River frontage | Paroo watershed country heads to auction | 50,000ha of freehold land on offer in NT..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 26/08/2026

Properties for sale – King Island, Tasmania, Victoria

$23m+ for King Island cattle portfolio | EOIs for Tasmania’s historic Woolnorth | McBrides relaunch SA/Vic Telopea Downs aggregation..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 26/08/2026

Northern cattle and irrigated cropping demand prompts Legune listing

Growing investor interest in large-scale Northern pastoral and irrigated cropping assets has prompted AAM to explore options for the future of its Legune Station asset in the western region of the Northern Territory…Read More

Beef Central, 24/08/2026

AgCarbon Central

NFF raises concerns about proposed changes to soil carbon

The National Farmers Federation has raised concerns about proposed changes to Australia’s soil carbon methodology…Read More

Beef Central, 25/08/2026

Modelling suggests carbon farming could generate $5.5b for industry

The company behind one of the country’s most prominent carbon faming investors says the carbon market could remove half of Australia’s annual emissions without taking a hectare out of food production, while putting $5.5b into agriculture…Read More

Beef Central, 07/08/2026

Soil carbon projects get green light as long-awaited review handed down

A periodic review of Australia’s soil carbon methodology has been handed down this week, with a few minor changes recommended…Read More

Beef Central, 29/07/2026

Scientists warn ‘carbon tunnel vision’ risks misguided climate policies on livestock

“Carbon tunnel vision” that over emphasises greenhouse gas emissions as the primary metric evaluating environmental impacts risks compromising reasonable pathways to reducing livestock emissions, a new scientific paper warns…Read More

James Nason, 16/07/2026
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