Uruguay’s unused China quota may throw Australian beef a lifeline

A prospect has emerged that Australia may be able to get beef into China tariff-free over the next three months, by utilising unused quota allocated by China to Uruguay at the start of the year. With only three months of the year remaining, Uruguay has a large volume of unused China quota left this year, and other large exporters like Australia and Brazil are lining up to do deals that would see that tonnage re-allocated, or transferred, to escape the severe 55pc tariff that currently applies to trade…Read More

Jon Condon, 02/10/2026

Kay’s Cuts: White House makes beef blunders, as ICE action impacts US processing

Recent actions by Trump’s Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) group is impacting US beef processing operations, in the latest White House actions impacting the US beef industry, regular columnist Steve Kay reports ..Read More

Steve Kay, 02/10/2026

Graeme Acton Beef Connections alumni: Where are they now?

In her monthly column during the countdown to Beef 2027 in Rockhampton next May, Graeme Acton beef Connections program member Millie Unthank catches up with past participants to find out what motivated them to join, and what benefit they gained..Read More

Millie Unthank, 02/10/2026

S6 EP32: What are the opportunities and challenges ahead for lotfeeders? We talk to BeefEx delegates

In today’s episode of The Weekly Grill host Kerry Lonergan sits down with a geographically-diverse group of lotfeeders attending last week’s BeefEx grainfed industry conference, to discuss the current feedlot operating environment, the impacts from the rapidly drying seasonal conditions, grainfed beef trade outlook and the challenges and opportunities they see lying ahead.  ..Read More

Beef Central, 02/10/2026

Scholarship to give working dog education across the US

Applications are open for a new scholarship that will give young people with a passion for working dogs the opportunity to undertake a tour of America, aiming to improve their skills…Read More

Beef Central, 02/10/2026

Recruitment: Value in boosting employees’ team spirit

Great workplace environments don’t just happen – they are a result of hard work from leaders, and buy-in from staff. But if managers are able to achieve a great work environment, their team will pay them back with consistency, productivity and excellence. Smells like team spirit…Read More

Beef Central, 02/10/2026

Dubbo sale 1 October 2026: Feeder steers lift 10c/kg, cows up 5c in 5330 head yarding

Feeder steers were 10c/kg dearer and cows 4-5c better in a yarding of 5330 at Dubbo yesterday..Read More

David Monk, NLRS, 02/10/2026

Charters Towers 30 September 2026: Heavy cows lift 5-8c in 3200 head yarding

                Yarding 3234 Change -291 Charters Towers Combined Agents penned 3234 cattle, 291 less than last sale. Quality was again mixed, comprising of..Read More

Nikki Nason, 02/10/2026



Industry Dashboard

Carbon Trading Market

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

Today

38.40
Source: Jarden

$A / $US

Updated 7am daily

Today

0.6931
Source: NAB

ASX Market Index

03 Oct 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

920.5
Source: MLA's NLRS

90CL Cow

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

Today

988
Source: Steiner Consulting, MLA

Live Export

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

Today

450
Source: Trade contacts

SOI

Southern Oscillation Index (SOI)

Today

-13.89
Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology

Feeder Steer

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

Today

492
Source: Feeder Steer

What readers are saying

Brazil officially fills China quota; Argentina gains access to Japanese market

Very interesting reading. I’ve been banging on about the threat of Brazil getting into our lucrative markets for years — and now here we have their neighbour, Argentina, doing....

Glen Feist
More
A fresh look at Australia’s livestock exporting companies, 2005 to June 2026

What a fantastic article highlighting the importance of international export. Taking excess numbers out of the washing machine. Backed by world class animal welfare standards. Maybe we should start....

Chris Howie
More
Weekly genetics review: Do you have a fertility problem in your herd?

Thanks Alastair for another thought provoking article. Some respondent beef producers have commented that there may be a trade off between selecting for fertility and cull cow sale weights....

Fred Chudleigh
More
BeefEx 2026: Envisioning the feedlot of 2040

Outstanding article Finn. Feedlot 40 was all about reimagining the R&D undertaken by MLA and others on the feedlot industry’s behalf and extending it in an exiting and practically....

Christian Mulders
More

News

Kay’s Cuts: White House makes beef blunders, as ICE action impacts US processing

Recent actions by Trump’s Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) group is impacting US beef processing operations, in the latest White House actions impacting the US beef industry, regular columnist Steve Kay reports ..Read More

Steve Kay, 02/10/2026

Graeme Acton Beef Connections alumni: Where are they now?

In her monthly column during the countdown to Beef 2027 in Rockhampton next May, Graeme Acton beef Connections program member Millie Unthank catches up with past participants to find out what motivated them to join, and what benefit they gained..Read More

Millie Unthank, 02/10/2026

Recruitment: Value in boosting employees’ team spirit

Great workplace environments don’t just happen – they are a result of hard work from leaders, and buy-in from staff. But if managers are able to achieve a great work environment, their team will pay them back with consistency, productivity and excellence. Smells like team spirit…Read More

Beef Central, 02/10/2026

Brazil officially fills China quota; Argentina gains access to Japanese market

Brazil has joined Australia in officially filling its 2026 China beef export quota, meaning the country’s shipments or the next three months face an additional, steep 55pc tariff. The move will inevitably push more Brazilian meat into the North American market – and potentially, Japan and Korea – as trade restrictions continue to reshape global beef trade flows…Read More

Jon Condon, 01/10/2026

Markets

Dubbo sale 1 October 2026: Feeder steers lift 10c/kg, cows up 5c in 5330 head yarding

Feeder steers were 10c/kg dearer and cows 4-5c better in a yarding of 5330 at Dubbo yesterday..Read More

David Monk, NLRS, 02/10/2026

Charters Towers 30 September 2026: Heavy cows lift 5-8c in 3200 head yarding

                Yarding 3234 Change -291 Charters Towers Combined Agents penned 3234 cattle, 291 less than last sale. Quality was again mixed, comprising of..Read More

Nikki Nason, 02/10/2026

Dalby sale 30 September 2026: Yarding retracts to 5840; prices lift despite dry conditions

Despite the dry seasonal conditions prices improved across most classes at Dalby yesterday, where a reduced offering of 5840 head were offered. Heavy feeders averaged 526c/kg, while the best of the heavy cows averaged 391c. ..Read More

Beef Central, 01/10/2026

Roma sale 29 September 2026: Numbers surge to 7800, as feeder steers average 522c/kg

Numbers surged in the face of dry weather at Roma sale yesterday, offering 7800 head – up more than 2000 head on last week. Heavy feeders +400kg lifted 17c to average 522c’ cows also improved, but some other categories lost ground ..Read More

Beef Central, 30/09/2026

Sponsored Content

Market Check launches first-of-its-kind grain marketing academy for growers and agribusiness

Grain marketing advisory firm Market Check has launched a new education platform aimed at demystifying grain markets for anyone involved in the ag industry, from growers through to bankers, agronomists, feedlotters and graduates just starting out in agribusiness…Read More

Sponsored Content, 21/09/2026

The power of selenium in livestock

Selenium deficiency can silently undermine livestock health, fertility and performance well before clinical symptoms appear, making correct diagnosis, supplementation and administration essential to protect sheep and cattle. ..Read More

Sponsored Content, 14/09/2026

C-Lock takes cattle feed efficiency testing from months to minutes

Picture your cattle in the yards, and picture a number floating above each one. Not a weight. A ranking, 1 to 100, showing you exactly where that animal sits against every other animal in the mob for how efficiently it turns feed into product. Would it change which ones you cull?..Read More

Sponsored Content, 06/09/2026

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

Production

Scholarship to give working dog education across the US

Applications are open for a new scholarship that will give young people with a passion for working dogs the opportunity to undertake a tour of America, aiming to improve their skills…Read More

Beef Central, 02/10/2026

Bull breakdown can cost herd performance

Losing young bulls to breakdown was once a major cost for an Esperance (WA) cattle producing family – but 20 years of vaccinating virgin bulls before joining has helped them reduce losses and improve their confidence in investing in better genetics…Read More

Beef Central, 29/09/2026

Fitbit-style sensor technology sheds light on calf loss

Researchers are using technology similar to the Fitbit used in human health and wellbeing, to better understand how cows care for their calves and uncover new ways to address calf loss in northern Australia’s beef industry…Read More

Beef Central, 28/09/2026

The value of leucaena for control of internal parasites in livestock

Multiple research articles show that Leucaena, already well known as a highly productive forage legume, can also play an important role in reducing worm burdens and pasture contamination when used as part of an integrated parasite management program…Read More

Max Shelton, 23/09/2026

Processing

Big energy savings, reduced carbon footprint through heat recycling at Gundagai Meat Processors

A New South Wales red meat processor has implemented a staged heat recovery system that reduces natural gas consumption, improves refrigeration efficiency and removes the need for a major boiler upgrade…Read More

Beef Central, 30/09/2026

Weekly kill: Slaughter values hold up, as restocker and young cattle slide rapidly

A sharp contrast is emerging between slaughter cattle and feeder prices, relative to the lighter restocker descriptions which are currently falling rapidly in the saleyards system…Read More

Jon Condon, 29/09/2026

Weekly kill: Fuel and transport price rises curbing southern buyer interest in the north

Rapidly elevating fuel prices are now having a significant effect on slaughter cattle buying patterns, with the sharply rising transport cost keeping some southern Australian buyers out of the Queensland market…Read More

Jon Condon, 22/09/2026

New MSA transport pathway opens opportunities for grassfed cattle

A new transport pathway for MSA will now allow more grassfed cattle to access the world-leading grading system, with eligible cattle still MSA-compliant after journeys of up to five days…Read More

Lydia Burton, 22/09/2026

Lotfeeding

Growing cattle on feed numbers at the centre of grainfed cattle levy review

The Australian Lot Feeders Association has joined the list of industry groups undertaking a review of the compulsory $5 transaction levy – with growing numbers of cattle on feed driving an ever-larger levy pool going under the microscope…Read More

Eric Barker, 01/10/2026

Australian beef’s best strategy in challenging export market conditions

While the quickly changing environment and uncertainty has been a big challenge for meat traders this year, a panel of industry leaders at last week’s BeefEx conference discussed how Australian beef can maintain its strong position in the challenging market. We need to stay out of the bare-knuckle fight with Brazil in commodity markets by pushing deeper into grainfed premium markets, the audience was told…Read More

Eric Barker, 30/09/2026

Best practice guide to help producers prepare cattle for feedlots

In an effort to optimise feedlot performance, a new best practice guide has been developed for producers, outlining how to best prepare cattle for a feedlot. The new guide was promoted during BeefEx last week..Read More

Lydia Burton, 30/09/2026

Egg industry’s advice to lotfeeders: Be ‘comfortable in your own skin’ over community engagement

What can other intensive livestock industries teach cattle lotfeeders about responding to community expectations? Egg industry leader Rowan McMonnies provided some sage advice during last week’s BeefEx conference….  ..Read More

Jon Condon, 29/09/2026

Live Export

A fresh look at Australia’s livestock exporting companies, 2005 to June 2026

Who are Australia’s active live exporting companies, and where do they operate? Since 2005 there have been 59 different companies that have exported livestock by sea, and the number of exporters still active in the last three years has sat at 16, down slightly from 19 in 2022, live export market commentator Michael Patching reports…Read More

Dr Michael Patching, 01/10/2026

SE Asia Report: Thailand working on plan to ship 100,000 cattle per month to China

The Thai agriculture ministry announced on 17 June that it is targeting the collection of Thai beef cattle for export by ship to China at 100,000 head a month, or 1.2 million head a year, through a quarantine hub to be built at Bang Saphan – a privately owned deep-sea port that Australian exporters used to discharge cattle back in 2015…Read More

Dr Michael Patching, 16/09/2026

Cattle shipments and prices rise, defying Indonesia’s headwinds

Higher supply often correlates with lower prices, yet despite monthly cattle export volumes climbing to a year-high in August, the price of live export steers ex-Darwin climbed to 440c–450c/kg for good lines. So what is driving the apparent contradiction?..Read More

James Nason, 11/09/2026

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

Uruguay’s unused China quota may throw Australian beef a lifeline

A prospect has emerged that Australia may be able to get beef into China tariff-free over the next three months, by utilising unused quota allocated by China to Uruguay at the start of the year. With only three months of the year remaining, Uruguay has a large volume of unused China quota left this year, and other large exporters like Australia and Brazil are lining up to do deals that would see that tonnage re-allocated, or transferred, to escape the severe 55pc tariff that currently applies to trade…Read More

Jon Condon, 02/10/2026

Harmony’s F1 Wagyu brand tops Melbourne Royal Show Food Awards

Victorian-based supply chain Harmony Agriculture & Food Co has topped the annual Melbourne Royal Show Food Awards branded beef division this week with a sample of the company’s Black Opal F1 Wagyu x Angus product. The Black Opal entry topped 21 medal-winning beef entries in this year’s competitions. In other divisions, a Wagyu braseola product claimed champion smallgoods product of show. ..Read More

Beef Central, 30/09/2026

Wagyu entries dominate 2026 Sydney Show Fine Foods branded beef competition

Queensland’s Stockyard Beef has been recognised at the 2026 Sydney Royal Fine Food Awards, with its premium Wagyu brand, Stockyard Black, earning the grand champion beef title for the fourth consecutive year…Read More

Beef Central, 17/09/2026

August beef exports at 128,000t bear signs of tariff impacts

Recent imported beef tariff impacts in China and the United States are clearly evident in Australia’s August beef export statistics…Read More

Jon Condon, 04/09/2026

Genetics

Weekly genetics review: Do you have a fertility problem in your herd?

This week’s column uses weaning results as the starting point and looks at why producers often put poor performance down to either nutrition or genetics, when both can be factors. It draws on CashCow and the 2025 Northern Genomics analysis, and builds on genomic prediction and Days to Calving material we discussed in an earlier column…Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 29/09/2026

Weekly genetics review: Are you buying the bulls you planned to buy, or the bulls the sale persuaded you to buy?

This week’s genetics review divides typical bull buyers into six distinct categories. Which do you fall into?..Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 22/09/2026

Weekly genetics review: Larger catalogues test the depth of the spring bull market

While there are still plenty of significant bull sales to be held over the next few weeks, there is now enough data on hand to draw some conclusions on a bull selling season that has in general been more rewarding than what many expected when it opened…Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 15/09/2026

Moving beyond breed boundaries – what could multibreed evaluation change?

What does MLA’s proposed multibreed genetic evaluation mean for traditional breed societies? It’s one of the questions explored by genetics editor Al Rayner in this week’s genetics column ..Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 15/09/2026

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: Northern & western Qld update

Northern and western Queensland take centre stage in this week’s property review, where the lasting benefits of a strong wet season earlier this year continue to influence grazing market trends…Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 30/09/2026

Weekly property review: Recently completed sales

Meldora expands with Riverina aggregation | Willow Tree grazing makes $7m..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 23/09/2026

Ogilvies relaunch Te Angie Station and Forest Lodge with expectations around $30-$35m

A new expressions of interest campaign will launch next week for the Ogilvie family’s two highly developed grazing properties in the New England region of northern New South Wales…Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 23/09/2026

Movement at the station: Properties for sale in Qld

Stuart Ramsey’s Channel Country station heads to auction | Campbells list dress circle Augathella country | $13.5m for CQ calf factory | The Bluff lists for $30m+..Read More

Property editor Linda Rowley, 23/09/2026

AgCarbon Central

Call for food production to be protected in carbon market development

With the Federal Government reviewing the main policy underpinning demand for carbon credits, the National Farmers Federation says it needs to make sure food production is protected…Read More

Beef Central, 30/09/2026

Opinion: A bad time to be a tree in Queensland

James Henderson is a producer from Monto in Central Queensland and a co-founder of carbon and natural capital advisory IsidoreAg. In this contributed article, he argues that the Federal Government’s new environmental laws combined with a tightening of carbon and natural capital opportunities is pushing landholders to clear more trees than necessary…Read More

James Henderson, 08/09/2026

New method makes dual emissions reporting available to cattle companies

A new research paper has developed the first methodology enabling livestock companies to report their greenhouse gas emissions using both GWP100 and GWP*…Read More

James Nason, 02/09/2026

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
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