Home - Beef Central

Weekly genetics review: What lies ahead for 2026 spring bull sales?

While destocking due to drought will inevitably impact bull buying demand in regions like the New England and NSW Northwest this year, on the upside, bull buying is likely to be strongly supported by the current cattle price boom and continued above average pasture conditions in Queensland, southern NSW and other parts of northern Australia, genetics editor Al Rayner writes…Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 09/06/2026

Processing

Weekly kill: Market boom sees saleyards pricing pull ahead of direct consignment

As often happens in a rapidly-rising market like this, saleyards slaughter cattle prices have pulled ahead of direct consignment values in comparative terms for the time being – despite some hefty 30-40c kicks in over-the-hooks grids in Queensland last week. Some markets observers suggest slaughter cattle previously booked earlier with processors on space only (no price attached) have since been diverted into the saleyards channel to exploit the dramatic surge that has happened through the saleyards channel. ..Read More

Beef Central, 09/06/2026

News

‘Without uptake, you’re burning levy dollars’: Senators challenge MLA over emissions spending

Without producer uptake of MLA-funded emissions interventions, “you are taking levy dollars and burning them”, Nationals Senator Susan McDonald told MLA executives in a marathon 90-minute Q&A session during the latest round of Senate Estimates hearings…Read More

James Nason, 09/06/2026

News

Three more screwworm cases detected in the US

There’s now been four confirmed cases of New World Screwworm fly in livestock in the southern US, following the first case detected in a calf in Texas a week ago. Here’s a quick summary of where the management of the outbreak is up to, and what it means for US meat and livestock trade ..Read More

Beef Central, 09/06/2026

Trade

Tighter global beef supply expected to support Australia’s export outlook

A new industry report says Australia’s beef sector is well placed to benefit from tightening global supply, firm international demand and only limited near term disruption from recent trade policy changes…Read More

Beef Central, 09/06/2026

You can’t afford to lose a calf you didn’t have to lose

What got Australian beef to where it is today is not what will keep it there. The margin for avoidable loss has all but disappeared. After four decades on the frontline of bovine reproduction, Dr Ced Wise reflects on how far the Australian beef industry has come and what it now costs producers to leave reproductive outcomes to chance…Read More

Rural Press Club’s FarmFest lunch hears AI is your friend

Last week’s Rural Press Club lunch heard AI has the potential to reshape farming as we know it, and the change is one to be embraced as growers face mounting cost pressures…Read More

Liz Wells, 09/06/2026

Weather

Weekly rainfall update + rainfall outlook 8 June 2026

A vigorous low pressure system crossed the south-east, bringing widespread showers and rain, local thunderstorms, some minor riverine flooding in Tasmania and northern Victoria, and coastal flooding in Victoria during high tides…Read More

Bureau of Meteorology, 09/06/2026

Genetics

Texas Angus field day to showcase latest beef industry trends and technology

Beef Central, 09/06/2026

Markets

Gunnedah 9 June 2026: Numbers surge to 1973, as market plateaus

Beef Central, 09/06/2026

Lotfeeding

Feeder cattle market: Prices up 30-50c as Quilty makes bold prediction

Eric Barker, 08/06/2026

News

King’s Birthday Honours recognise leadership across Australia’s cattle, sheep and grains sectors

Beef Central, 08/06/2026

News

Cattle Australia’s 2025-26 National Beef Leaders graduate – with honours

Jon Condon, 08/06/2026

News

Global economic outlook weakens: Here’s two scenarios on what might happen

Beef Central, 08/06/2026

Industry Dashboard

Carbon Trading Market

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

Today

37.45

Source: Jarden

$A / $US

Updated 7am daily

Today

0.7049

Source: NAB

ASX Market Index

10 Jun 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

163245

Source: MLA's NLRS

EYCI

Eastern Young Cattle Indicator, c/kg

Today

958.4

Source: MLA's NLRS

90CL Cow

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

Today

1124

Source: Steiner Consulting, MLA

Live Export

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

Today

420

Source: Trade contacts

SOI

Southern Oscillation Index (SOI)

Today

-14.14

Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology

Feeder Steer

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

Today

490

Source: Feeder Steer

What readers are saying

North Qld’s Valley of Lagoons sells under the hammer for $30m

I'd say the report from early explorer Ludwig Leichhardt is where ReedyBrook Station got its name from. I'd assume Walter Jervoise Scott had something to do with the nearby....

Jyden Carmody

S6 Ep17: Graeme Acton Beef Connections program member, Millie Unthank

Millie is a really inspiring young person for the ag industry. She communicates very well. Well done to MDH for employing her....

Sandra Jephcott

Consultation opens on impact of EPBC Act changes on key Qld industries

The state LNP government, along with it's federal colleagues should be lobbying Canberra as well as looking at constitutional loopholes for Qld to have the pastoral and farming operators/landholders....

Brett McCamley

15 million pigs need to go right now, Susan McDonald

Yes, I totally agree. over in WA Perth Hills, I had pigs ripping up my pasture which was the result of years of rehabilitation by myself on what had....

Geoffrey Kirkman

‘Without uptake, you’re burning levy dollars’: Senators challenge MLA over emissions spending

James Nason, 09/06/2026

Three more screwworm cases detected in the US

Beef Central, 09/06/2026

Rural Press Club’s FarmFest lunch hears AI is your friend

Last week’s Rural Press Club lunch heard AI has the potential to reshape farming as we know it, and the change is one to be embraced as growers face mounting cost pressures…Read More

Liz Wells, 09/06/2026

King’s Birthday Honours recognise leadership across Australia’s cattle, sheep and grains sectors

Among the more than 700 people recognised in the Order of Australia General Division announced this morning as part of the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours are industry leaders and contributors with strong connections to Australia’s cattle, sheep and cropping sectors…Read More

Beef Central, 08/06/2026

Markets

Gunnedah 9 June 2026: Numbers surge to 1973, as market plateaus

1973 cattle were scanned in Gunnedah an increase off 1100 cattle from last week. It was a plainer condition yarding with limited numbers of prime cattle on offer. All major buyers were present for steady competition in a market that plateaued with some grades of lighter cattle certainly softer…Read More

Beef Central, 09/06/2026

Steers firm to easier in larger 15,931 head online offering

Steer values were firm to easier, while heifers mostly trended higher in c/kg terms on AuctionsPlus this week, where offering numbers grew 33pc to 15,931 head…Read More

Beef Central, 05/06/2026

All saleyard indicators rise sharply after handy rain

Australian cattle prices rebounded sharply in May after trending lower since mid-March. ..Read More

Emiliano Diaz, MLA Senior Market Information Analyst, 05/06/2026

Dubbo sale 4 June 2026: Offering lifts to 2700 on surging prices

The recent cattle price surge saw Dubbo’s offering lift by 1200 yesterday, reaching 2717 head. The market was stronger on weaners and young cattle while cows were firm..Read More

David Monk, NLRS, 05/06/2026

Meet the four women representing Australia at the Global Gathering of Pastoralist Women, as part of the UN’s International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists…Read More

Lydia Burton, 02/06/2026

15 million pigs need to go right now, Susan McDonald

Feral pigs are tearing through farms, waterways and wetlands, leaving behind millions of dollars in damage and devastation for producers already under enormous pressure, LNP Senator for Queensland Susan McDonald says…Read More

Beef Central, 29/05/2026

The case for commercialising leucaena in WA

With the local abattoir planning to reopen next year, growing access to supplementary feeding and more markets emerging, there is plenty of excitement in the Western Australian cattle industry…Read More

Eric Barker and Lydia Burton, 27/05/2026

Processing

Weekly kill: Market boom sees saleyards pricing pull ahead of direct consignment

Beef Central, 09/06/2026

Weekly kill: Qld grids soar 30-40c/kg, as supply tightens further after rain

Some of the biggest slaughter cattle price increases seen since the 2022-23 era when cattle supply was greatly hampered by herd rebuilding have been seen this week…Read More

Jon Condon, 02/06/2026

Vale Tony Nolan: Beef processing innovator, mentor, community leader

Popular Queensland meat processing industry identity Tony Nolan, whose funeral service was held in Gympie this morning, is being remembered as a meat processing industry innovator, technology pioneer and a great local community leader…Read More

Jon Condon, 29/05/2026

Weekly kill: 20c/kg grid rises common, as supply tightens further after rain

Recent widespread and in places beneficial rain has forced direct consignment grid prices sharply higher across the eastern states this week. Queensland grids started to rise last Thursday in response to lower saleyards yardings and changing attitudes among direct-consignment cattle suppliers, with lifts of 20c/kg reasonably common…Read More

Jon Condon, 26/05/2026

Lotfeeding

Feeder cattle market: Prices up 30-50c as Quilty makes bold prediction

Feeder cattle grids have surged 30-50c in the past fortnight as the main saleyard indicators reach heights not seen since 2022…Read More

Eric Barker, 08/06/2026

Feedgrain Focus: More rain, lower values as north ups planting

Grain prices have dropped another $3-$10/t this week to reflect export parity and improved production prospects for the northern region…Read More

Liz Wells, 08/06/2026

Does the Darling Downs have enough water to keep building feedlots?

As Australia’s biggest feedlot operators continue to fill council pigeonholes with plans to expand their operations on Queensland’s Darling Downs, there is one local issue that is becoming a growing concern by the day – water…Read More

Eric Barker, 02/06/2026

MLA releases best practice guide for feedlot cattle preparation

A new best practice guide brings together key industry resources into a single, first-of-its kind reference to help grassfed cattle producers improve how feeder cattle are prepared for feedlot entry…Read More

Beef Central, 02/06/2026

Live Export

Beyond the feedlot: The Indonesian households relying on Australia’s live cattle trade

One feedlot in Indonesia, filled with Australian cattle, supports more than 12,000 Indonesian families. The large number of households the trade supports is often overlooked. ..Read More

Lydia Burton, 26/05/2026

Leaked review finds “no definitive evidence” for daylight-only livestock vessel inspections

Several years after the Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry ceased night-time biosecurity inspections for returning vessels – a move that industry has estimated has cost live cattle exporters up to $26,000 per shipment – an independent report prepared for the Department has found no definitive scientific evidence supporting the daylight-only inspection policy…Read More

James Nason, 25/05/2026

SE Asia Report: Falling Darwin feeder numbers offer Indonesia’s squeezed lotfeeders a first glimpse of relief

Vietnam seeks emergency approval to import SAT-1 FMD vaccines as cross-border disease risk rises | Indonesian meat processors continue to lobby for their 2026 private beef quota to be restored from 30,000 to 180,000 tonnes | Sea freight stays under pressure, with Singapore bunker fuel at USD 850/mt still nearly double January’s USD 480/mt…Read More

Dr Michael Patching, 22/05/2026

Indonesia Live Cattle Industry Taskforce to strengthen key market for Aussie producers

The Indonesia Live Cattle Industry Taskforce is a strategic advisory body designed to enhance collaboration, guide investment and strengthen outcomes in Australia’s most important live cattle export market…Read More

Beef Central, 20/05/2026

Trade

Tighter global beef supply expected to support Australia’s export outlook

Beef Central, 09/06/2026

May beef exports soar to all-time record volume above 152,000t

Australia’s beef exports surged to their highest monthly level on record in May, driven by high levels of production, export quota/tariff pressures adding urgency in some markets, and underlying global protein demand…Read More

Jon Condon, 03/06/2026

Brazil steps ahead of Australia as the US’s biggest imported beef supplier

After 40 years as the principal supplier of imported beef to the United States, Australia has been tipped-out of the top position in recent months by Brazil…Read More

Jon Condon, 01/06/2026

Beef tariff impacts dominate trade talks during Shanghai’s huge SIAL food trade show

Concerns about chilled and frozen beef business into China once key export nations fill their 2026 quotas was in clear evidence at the giant SIAL Food Trade show held in Shanghai last week. SIAL, which finished on Friday, is one of the world’s largest food exhibitions, and has become a gathering point for red meat exporters from across the world to engage with existing and new Chinese customers…Read More

Jon Condon, 25/05/2026

Genetics

Weekly genetics review: What lies ahead for 2026 spring bull sales?

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 09/06/2026

Texas Angus field day to showcase latest beef industry trends and technology

The ‘Nothin But Beef’ field day to be held at Texas Angus’s Doongara property, Warialda, in July will bring together a range of industry leaders, economists, technology specialists and supply chain representatives to discuss key issues shaping the future of the beef industry…Read More

Beef Central, 09/06/2026

Australian Wagyu beef and dairy genetics return to China after five-year absence

A major export agreement to supply Australian-bred Wagyu and dairy genetics into China is marking the first export of Australian cattle semen into that market for five years. Five years..Read More

Beef Central, 03/06/2026

Have we listed your Spring 2026 bull sale details?

Beef Central is putting the finishing touches on its 2026 Winter/Spring bull sales calendar, featuring seedstock sales fixtures nationwide across all major beef breeds being held from now until the end of November. Do we have your sale details?..Read More

Beef Central, 01/06/2026

Ag Tech

Profitability is sustainability, in that order

Producers are being asked to care about emissions, but Collin Kramer argues chasing the wrong number could come at a real cost. In this opinion piece, he identifies the figure that really matters…Read More

Collin Kramer, C-Lock Inc, 03/06/2026

The case for commercialising leucaena in WA

Eric Barker and Lydia Burton, 27/05/2026

Craig Mostyn Group acquires WA’s Patmore Feeds

Western Australian-based agribusiness Craig Mostyn Group has announced its purchase of stockfeed manufacturer Patmore Feeds…Read More

Beef Central, 14/05/2026

Help needed as regional Aussies navigate new mobile tech

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has dubbed the Regional Tech Hub an essential service ahead of major changes to telecommunications in the bush…Read More

Beef Central, 15/04/2026

AgProperty Central

Weekly property review: North Qld grazing market shows resilience despite rising costs

Solid to excellent seasonal conditions, recovering cattle prices and strong inquiry for quality breeder country are helping underpin North Qld’s grazing property market. According to valuer Roger Hill, the region’s grazing property market is showing resilience in 2026, with values for improved coastal country holding firm and buyer confidence still evident across well-presented breeder and backgrounding assets…Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 03/06/2026

North Qld’s Valley of Lagoons sells under the hammer for $30m

In a strong endorsement of the strength of the Northern Australian cattle property market, the Howe family’s Rock Ridge Cattle Co has paid $30 million for North Queensland’s Valley of Lagoons Station, offered with more than 4000 Brahman breeders…Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 31/05/2026

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

Collinsville’s Panhandle lists with close to 3000 breeders | CQ’s Bluegrass Plains lists for $11m | CQ cattle & cropping portfolio makes $30m | Well grassed Glenalba splits two ways..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 27/05/2026

Properties for sale in NSW, VIC, SA

Freebairn family lists SA’s Gilles Downs Station | Vic’s Pittong Pastoral sale will end 140 years ownership | Yarrawonga Pastoral sells historic Manaroo in NSW

Property editor Linda Rowley, 27/05/2026

AgCarbon Central

Carbon markets: ACCU prices jump, future supply concerns

The market for Australian Carbon Credit Units has jumped in the past couple of weeks after companies covered by the country’s “safeguard mechanism” squared away their balance sheets at the end of March…Read More

Eric Barker, 28/04/2026

The one factor that could open up more timber harvesting on grazing land

While environmental groups have been campaigning against the harvesting of timber from native forests for years, a not-for-profit organisation says there is untapped potential to use the practice for restoring stressed environments across the country…Read More

Eric Barker, 23/04/2026