National slaughter surges to four-year highs

Rates of national beef slaughter have hit four-year highs this month, although weather has continued to challenge logistics in getting cattle to processing plants heading into Easter break. Last week saw the national adult cattle slaughter tally soar to 136,503 head, the highest tally since April 2020, at the tail end of the continental-scale drought.   ..Read More

Jon Condon, 28/03/2024

When North Queensland turned P!NK

The capital of North Queensland became “Pinksville” as (very full) trains, planes and automobiles, not to mention dusty utes, Toyota wagons and bush buses, poured in from all corners of the north for the final two concerts of singing superstar P!NK’s 2024 national Summer Carnival tour…Read More

Roger Desailly, 20/03/2024

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

S4 Ep10: Celebrating the success of the ICMJ program, with Peter McGilchrist

On the eve of the annual Inter-Collegiate Meat Judging northern conference in Rockhampton, Kerry Lonergan chats with ICMJ chairman Peter McGilchrist and recent graduates Ethan Mooney and Chloe Gould about the valuable educational role the program serves for the Australian beef and sheepmeat industries…Read More

Beef Central, 28/03/2024

National Feedbase Summary 28 March 2024

On a national basis, there has been a largely positive trend to biomass accumulation and growth…Read More

Al Rayner, Cibo Labs, 28/03/2024

Dining for a Dream a great fundraiser during Beef 2024

The Dolly’s Dream foundation will be the beneficiary of a lively fundraising luncheon being held in Rockhampton during Beef 2024 in May…Read More

Beef Central, 28/03/2024

Recruitment: Four ways to help retain valued employees

In the lead-up to Easter, there’s been another avalanche of new and exciting jobs listed in our recruitment section this week. Click on this item to view latest listings, and read this week’s HR article offering advice on ways to help retain good staff…Read More

Beef Central, 05/02/2016

Recent property listings – SA, NSW, VIC

$30m+ for historic SA holdings | Four quality properties list in NSW’s New England region | Low input grazing in western NSW | Southern NSW cattle & sheep grazing | High country VIC grazing should make $7m+..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 27/03/2024



Industry Dashboard

Carbon Trading Market

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

Today

36
Source: Jarden

$A / $US

Updated 7am daily

Today

0.6534
Source: NAB

ASX Market Index

29 Mar 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

136503
Source: MLA's NLRS

EYCI

Eastern Young Cattle Indicator, c/kg

Today

600
Source: MLA's NLRS

90CL Cow

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

Today

897.4
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

-15.02
Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology

Feeder Steer

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

Today

328.9
Source: Feeder Steer

Optimise herd health, production, and fertility. Save substantial time and money.

Click here to learn more

What readers are saying

National slaughter surges to four-year highs

Also worth noting that NLRS are not collecting weekly kill data from a number of processors at all. I note the ABARES figures used in MLA Projections, are over....

Ross Keane
More
Cause of NT cattle deaths still being investigated

Suggest you test the feed in the yards. If they used chicken litter as nitrogen for the feed mix, was it treated by screening for carcasses and heated above....

John Gunthorpe
More
Australian-focused definition of deforestation to be launched at Beef 2024

Sounds like the horse has bolted because you cannot post environmental changes that have occurred over the last fifty years when you do not have a starting point measurement.....

Stanley Bruce Collins
More
Australian-focused definition of deforestation to be launched at Beef 2024

Mal, as someone that was one of the organisers of the original event in Rockhampton I can assure you the ability to control regrowth was one of the drivers....

David Hill
More

News

When North Queensland turned P!NK

The capital of North Queensland became “Pinksville” as (very full) trains, planes and automobiles, not to mention dusty utes, Toyota wagons and bush buses, poured in from all corners of the north for the final two concerts of singing superstar P!NK’s 2024 national Summer Carnival tour…Read More

Roger Desailly, 20/03/2024

National Feedbase Summary 28 March 2024

On a national basis, there has been a largely positive trend to biomass accumulation and growth…Read More

Al Rayner, Cibo Labs, 28/03/2024

Recruitment: Four ways to help retain valued employees

In the lead-up to Easter, there’s been another avalanche of new and exciting jobs listed in our recruitment section this week. Click on this item to view latest listings, and read this week’s HR article offering advice on ways to help retain good staff…Read More

Beef Central, 05/02/2016

Australian-focused definition of deforestation to be launched at Beef 2024

Cattle Australia says it hopes to have a definition of deforestation in the Australian context across the supply chain ready for launch at Beef 2024. It comes amid a recent ramping up of reporting requirements across suply chains, which Rabobank’s Angus Gidley-Baird covered in detail at last week’s NTCA annual conference. ..Read More

James Nason, 27/03/2024

Markets

Roma sale 26 Mar 2024: Numbers fall with autumn rain

Not all of the regular processors feedlotters and backgrounders present. However the market increased in prices…Read More

Beef Central, 27/03/2024

Wagga sale 25 March 2024: Rainfall re-energises restockers

Feedlots also emerged as dominant players across most sectors, propelling prices to higher levels. However, there emerged a scarcity of cattle meeting the criteria for domestic processors, particularly those weighing under 500kg…Read More

Leann Dax, 26/03/2024

Inverell Elders stock agent wins national auctioneers title

NEW South Wales stock agent Justin Oakenfull from Elders Rural Services at Inverell has won the 2024 ALPA National Young Auctioneers Competition from a top field of contestants from five..Read More

Beef Central, 25/03/2024

Steer and heifer categories show improvement, in smaller online offering

Cattle listings continued to fall on AuctionsPlus this week, dropping another 30pc on last week to 12,434 head. After two weeks of declines, there was some price recovery evident among heifers, while steer results were mixed, on a c/kg basis…Read More

Beef Central, 24/03/2024

Sponsored Content

A smart work tool on a remote outback cattle station

Visitors to Beef 2024 will be able to see first hand how Grundfos’ Solar Connect Pump Monitor is changing the game for cattle properties like Kalala Station in the NT. Read story for more details.
..Read More

Sponsored Content, 18/03/2024

How Ceres Tag is building a connected ecosystem to empower farmers

Through a series of landmark collaborations and seamless integrations with prominent agtech systems, Ceres Tag is helping grazing businesses to unlock unprecedented levels of efficiency, sustainability and productivity…Read More

Sponsored Content, 11/03/2024

Farmbot’s way forward: Retrofit your pumps for remote control

In today’s world of escalating fuel costs and labour shortages, being everywhere at once isn’t just impractical – it’s not always possible. Thankfully, solutions like Farmbot exist to address these challenges. By working closely with producers to understand their operational costs and challenges, Farmbot is at the forefront of growing adoption of remote water management technologies…Read More

Sponsored content, 04/03/2024

Improving soil carbon potential through healthy soils

Healthy soil is the cornerstone of a thriving and resilient farm, and livestock producers who are looking to understand the potential of their land to sequester and store carbon need to start with the fundamentals of soil health…Read More

Sponsored Content, 19/02/2024

Production

Potholes and blind corners: five themes from the livestock transporters conference

Livestock transporters say foresight is needed to smooth out the potholes and blind corners ahead for industry’s most important roles of keeping animals moving through the supply chain…Read More

Eric Barker, 25/03/2024

Long-term legumes providing options for Southern Qld mixed farmer

As the livestock industry works to learn about the value of legumes for nutrition and environmental health, the owner of a Southern Queensland mixed farming operation says they are likely to be part of the operation for the coming decades…Read More

Eric Barker, 25/03/2024

MLA launches online hub for livestock transport information

A one-stop shop for livestock transport information has been launched by Meat & Livestock Australia at the combined Queensland and Australian Livestock Transporters’ Associations’ National Conference in Toowoomba this week…Read More

Beef Central, 22/03/2024

Clean and dirty topics explored at livestock transporters conference + PHOTOS

Whether it is a decent feed at the roadhouse, a place to dump effluent or a bridge big enough to handle the weight of an extremely heavy electric truck, livestock transporters have called for foresight at the industry’s national conference today…Read More

Eric Barker, 21/03/2024

Processing

National slaughter surges to four-year highs

Rates of national beef slaughter have hit four-year highs this month, although weather has continued to challenge logistics in getting cattle to processing plants heading into Easter break. Last week saw the national adult cattle slaughter tally soar to 136,503 head, the highest tally since April 2020, at the tail end of the continental-scale drought.   ..Read More

Jon Condon, 28/03/2024

Weekly kill: Weather again challenges processing operations, as price hold up

Weather is again challenging supply chain logistics for beef processors in Queensland and northern NSW, in the run through to the Easter break…Read More

Beef Central, 26/03/2024

Coles retail ready manager claims inaugural Meat Business Women award  

Coles red meat supply chain staffmember Sascha Hann has been crowned as the inaugural Australian “One to Watch” award winner, announced during the Meat Business Women’s Power of You conference in Melbourne last night…Read More

Beef Central, 21/03/2024

Weekly kill: Downwards slaughter cattle price trend continues

Direct consignment slaughter cattle prices continued their recent downwards trend this week, with some Queensland offers on export weight steers and cows down another 20-40c/kg, as supply outstrips demand and processor capacity…Read More

Jon Condon, 19/03/2024

Lotfeeding

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

Feedgrain Focus: Wheat, sorghum firm amid thin trade

Wheat has firmed in response to thin selling from growers, while barley has traded sideways to lower as packers call for containerised sorghum…Read More

Beef Central, 18/03/2024

Feedgrain Focus: Prices plumb new lows

Prices have plumbed new lows for the season as thin export demand allows values to sink in line with hefty falls overnight in futures values…Read More

Liz Wells, 11/03/2024

Animal wellbeing focus delivers results for WA lotfeeders

Western Australia’s 7000-head Kylagh Feedlot is a testament to how best practice management to create a low-stress environment for cattle delivers results – with shade one of the key ingredients…Read More

Beef Central, 04/03/2024

Live Export

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

Dept of Ag reports livestock mortalities on Brahman Express

The Department of Agriculture says it is working with a livestock exporter to determine the cause of deaths of Australian cattle on a ship which sailed from Darwin to Indonesia in recent days. ..Read More

Beef Central, 26/03/2024

Can Australian cattle exports to Indonesia climb back to 600k head per year?

As the northern cattle industry gears up for the start of the annual dry season mustering rounds, Beef Central posed the question to several experts across the trade…Read More

James Nason, 21/03/2024

Aus cattle exports total 23,021 in February

The volume was 56 percent below the rolling five-year average for the month, and reflected the delayed release of 2024 cattle import permits by the major market of Indonesia until February 16…Read More

Beef Central, 19/03/2024

Trade

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

Brazil fills its 2024 US quota: What does it mean for Aussie beef?

Brazil and a group of other smaller exporter countries servicing the US export beef market under the US’s ‘Other Country’ beef quota have in recent days filled their tariff-free entitlement for the 2024 year. It means that in order to continue to service the US market for the remainder of 2024, Brazil will have to pay an out-of-quota tariff of 26.4pc on all shipments, reducing their competitiveness against other exporters like Australia and NZ…Read More

Jon Condon, 06/03/2024

February beef exports continue growth surge, reaching 93,834t

Australia’s expanding beef production this year is reflected in February exports, which were up more than 23,000t or 33pc on the same period last year…Read More

Beef Central, 04/03/2024

Genetics

Weekly genetics review: Are bull breeders collecting the right performance data?

This week’s column focuses on the distinctions between raw data, such as ultrasound scans, and performance data collected and processed through BreedPlan. Some bull buyers may be using raw data incorrectly and draw the wrong assumptions, genetics editor Alastair Rayner says ..Read More

Beef Central, 26/03/2024

Weekly genetics review: Do we need to rethink frame scores?

This week’s genetics review looks at the value of frame scores, which were developed in the 1970s. The thinking from the US and potentially looking at our own data is that frame scores are no longer accurate predictors for modern cattle, and that people who rely on them may not be achieving the right outcome. Does industry need to revisit this concept?..Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 19/03/2024

Weekly genetics review: Are there alternatives to predicting birth weight in extensive production systems?

Collecting data, particularly around birth weights, has challenged many producers – especially in more extensively managed herds, where these challenges are magnified by distance, time, and the scale of operation. But are there alternatives to traditional birthweight collection?..Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 12/03/2024

NCC Brahman stud herd changes hands in major pre-auction dispersal deal

In one of the largest seedstock herd transactions in recent history, prominent Central Queensland Brahman bull breeder Brett Nobbs has sold his NCC Grey Brahman herd to Proserpine region commercial and stud Brahman breeders, Ray and Leah Vella…Read More

Beef Central, 12/03/2024

Ag Tech

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

Prime time for drones on feral pig watch in NT

A Charles Darwin University (CDU) study has identified early evening, or a wet season morning, as the prime time for surveying feral pigs from sky-high drones, which could help land rangers to improve management of the stealthy and invasive animals…Read More

Beef Central, 20/10/2023

AgProperty Central

Recent property listings – SA, NSW, VIC

$30m+ for historic SA holdings | Four quality properties list in NSW’s New England region | Low input grazing in western NSW | Southern NSW cattle & sheep grazing | High country VIC grazing should make $7m+..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 27/03/2024

Recent property listings – Queensland

Last of Sinclair Hill’s Qld properties for sale | $22.5m for CQ bullock country | Exclusion fenced aggregation lists for $40m | Ievers family offers NQ’s Marathon | UK family offloads Charleville’s Raceview Station | Versatile SQ grazing heads to auction | Coastal breeder block presents well | SQ’s Belmont offers cash flow possibilities | Western Downs grazing priced at $6.2m..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 27/03/2024

Capital gravitates to better quality assets when markets peak, HTW property briefing hears

There’s been a pronounced easing in the growth trend in rural land valuer, Herron Todd White’s Australian Grazing Property Index during 2023. Regional Queensland HTW director Will McLay suggested that this year’s index result, set a tone for some of the market trends and broader picture about what’s going on in the property market…Read More

Jon Condon, 27/03/2024

AAM’s Sunshine Farms aggregation sells to US pension fund for circa $90m

AAM Investment Group has sold its 14,074ha Sunshine Farms Aggregation in the Lachlan Valley of New South Wales for an undisclosed sum. A statement from AAM released today said settlement..Read More

Beef Central, 26/03/2024

AgCarbon Central

Australian-focused definition of deforestation to be launched at Beef 2024

Cattle Australia says it hopes to have a definition of deforestation in the Australian context across the supply chain ready for launch at Beef 2024. It comes amid a recent ramping up of reporting requirements across suply chains, which Rabobank’s Angus Gidley-Baird covered in detail at last week’s NTCA annual conference. ..Read More

James Nason, 27/03/2024

Can livestock transporters move away from fossil fuels?

Livestock transporters have highlighted some of the harsh truths and opportunities brought about by growing corporate and political pressure to reduce emissions…Read More

Eric Barker, 27/03/2024

Research investigating ways to put methane reducing technology into the paddock

New research is investigating the potential of a lick-block formula that could help reduce methane emissions from livestock…Read More

Beef Central, 27/03/2024

Global nature-based investment needs to increase to $8.1t by 2050, Colliers

A report released by global real estate and professional services company, Colliers, has highlighted developing investment into “nature based solutions” as an opportunity for agriculture in the coming decades…Read More

Beef Central, 26/03/2024

Sheep Central

Combined sheep and lamb slaughter surges to record level

COMBINED sheep and lamb slaughter has surged week-on-week to reach 687,772 head, to reach its highest level on record, Meat & Livestock Australia reported today...Read More

National Feedbase Summary 28 March 2024

TOTAL standing dry matter amounts recorded in the latest updates show a slight increase in levels of biomass in central west New South Wales, central Tasmania and a slightly improving..Read More

Weekly rainfall update + rainfall outlook 27 March 2024

Weekly rainfall totals greater than 200 mm have been recorded across western, central and eastern parts of the Northern Territory and along the north-eastern coast of Queensland, with some areas..Read More

Free attendance to Lambex 2024 on offer in Neogen initiative

YOUNG people in the sheep industry are being encouraged to take up an offer to attend Lambex 2024 free of charge as part of the FutureFlock Program...Read More

Grain Central

Cargill in talks around Kwinana canola-crushing plant

Cargill Australia is investigating the potential for a canola-crushing plant located next to CBH's Kwinana Grain Terminal...Read More

Grain Central’s March 2024 news quiz

Keep up to date with developments in Grain Central’s monthly quiz…..Read More

Ord lease finalisation a boon for irrigated cropping

The expansion of irrigated cropping in the Ord has reached a milestone with the formalisation of a lease agreement for the Knox farmlands...Read More

Canada’s PSP buys stake in Qld eggs

PSP Investments has bought a majority share in the Hall family's egg business, which is based on the Darling Downs and includes a 50pc stake in Sunny Queen...Read More

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