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News

Exports occupy record share of total Australian beef production this year

Australians are eating a smaller share of the nation’s overall annual beef production than ever before…Read More

Jon Condon, 04/03/2026

Markets

Regional cattle market wrap-up: Once in a generation rainfall shifts market sentiment

Recent rain has dramatically altered market sentiment in some cattle regions, turning major livestock areas from being under significant seasonal duress to pondering if they have now had the best start to a season ever…Read More

Richard Koch, Elders analyst, 04/03/2026

Production

2026 International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists

The United Nations declared 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists to raise awareness of and improve advocacy for the pastoral sector. ..Read More

Beef Central, 04/03/2026

A different approach to seedstock production

To transform our herd into a more profitable enterprise, we shifted our approach. We stopped expecting our cows to be reliant on external inputs and interventions, and began focusing on dollars or kilograms produced per hectare, not per animal. This shift in thinking changed the way we evaluated every aspect of the business: Could we use our pasture more efficiently? Could we increase profitability by improving how we utilised it?..Read More

Roma sale 3 Mar 2026: Yarding above 7200, with light cows stronger

A large run of cows and bulls penned which sold to similar rates to last sale, with store cows stronger. Cattle were drawn from NSW and the normal supply area…Read More

Beef Central, 04/03/2026

Genetics

Weekly genetics review: Ensuring bulls are ready for work – beyond a simple ‘pass or fail’

US research looking at how overnutrition during bull development affects semen quality has been useful in illustrating how over-prepared bulls may pass a standard soundness evaluation, but can still have significant reductions in sperm function that a conventional exam won’t pick up…Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 03/03/2026

News

Where will the EYCI be by year’s end? Join our 2026 reader competition to win a $1000 prize

There’s major bragging rights – plus great prizes – at stake for the winner of Beef Central’s 2026 Eastern Young Cattle Indicator guessing competition, asking readers to predict where the EYCI will sit by the end of the year…Read More

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Beef Central, 19/02/2026

Processing

Weekly kill: Southern grids rise on weather changes

Southern direct consignment grid prices have shown some sharp rises in value on the back of recent rain-related challenges – in places up to 30c/kg – while Queensland offers this week are unchanged…Read More

Jon Condon, 03/03/2026

Carbon

NFF calls for removal of vague rules in new environmental laws

Beef Central, 03/03/2026

News

Cattle prices to slip in 2026-27 as global pressures mount, but still above long-term average

Beef Central, 03/03/2026

Production

Australian ag likely to hit $100b production value, four years early

Beef Central, 03/03/2026

Genetics

Zoetis buys Neogen’s global animal genetics business

Beef Central, 03/03/2026

Production

AgForce calls for more boots on the ground to eradicate ticks in free zone

AgForce General President Shane McCarthy, 03/03/2026

Weather

Weekly rainfall update + rainfall outlook 2 March 2026

Bureau of Meteorology, 03/03/2026

Industry Dashboard

Carbon Trading Market

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

Today

36.25

Source: Jarden

$A / $US

Updated 7am daily

Today

0.7115

Source: NAB

ASX Market Index

04 Mar 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

154807

Source: MLA's NLRS

EYCI

Eastern Young Cattle Indicator, c/kg

Today

877.9

Source: MLA's NLRS

90CL Cow

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

Today

1154

Source: Steiner Consulting, MLA

Live Export

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

Today

480

Source: Trade contacts

SOI

Southern Oscillation Index (SOI)

Today

8.7

Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology

Feeder Steer

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

Today

470

Source: Feeder Steer

What readers are saying

Weekly genetics review: Ensuring bulls are ready for work – beyond a simple ‘pass or fail’

Great article Alastair How do we get bull buyers across Northern Australia to read this? Subscribing to receive Beef Central's genetics content is a good start, Rodger. Fortunately we already enjoy....

Rodger Jefferis

Beef Central among winners at Qld rural journalism awards

What a scoop!!! Great story on the John Lethbridge loading ramp. Great innovators both John and Russell. Also congrats to Eric on his recognition for being part of the story. Thanks....

Barry Hughes

Beef Central among winners at Qld rural journalism awards

This, I think was the greatest decision you ever made Jon and James. May 2011, I remember it well. Congratulations on building and sustaining such a remarkable online publication.....

Glen Feist

Ad Standards pulls up Toyota HiLux ad over untethered dogs

UhUh surely the bureaucrats have a sense of humor. They obviously have little to do if they think this add is offensive. There wouldn't be any person who would think this....

Mark Henry Bryant

Exports occupy record share of total Australian beef production this year

Australians are eating a smaller share of the nation’s overall annual beef production than ever before…Read More

Jon Condon, 04/03/2026

Where will the EYCI be by year’s end? Join our 2026 reader competition to win a $1000 prize

Beef Central, 19/02/2026

Cattle prices to slip in 2026-27 as global pressures mount, but still above long-term average

Australian saleyard cattle prices are forecast to fall by nine percent next financial year, but still remain slightly above the 10-year price average in real terms…Read More

Beef Central, 03/03/2026

Red meat exports caught up in Middle East conflict

The unfolding conflict in the Middle East is poised to test Australian agricultural supply chains on multiple fronts, with disruptions already occuring to high-value red meat exports to the region and higher fuel and fertiliser costs also seen as potential threats the longer the war lasts…Read More

James Nason & Jon Condon, 02/03/2026

Markets

Regional cattle market wrap-up: Once in a generation rainfall shifts market sentiment

Richard Koch, Elders analyst, 04/03/2026

Roma sale 3 Mar 2026: Yarding above 7200, with light cows stronger

A large run of cows and bulls penned which sold to similar rates to last sale, with store cows stronger. Cattle were drawn from NSW and the normal supply area…Read More

Beef Central, 04/03/2026

Gunnedah 3 Mar 2026: Cow values lift, despite record 6850 head yarding

The numbers keep coming in Gunnedah with a record yarding of 6850 cattle this morning – up 1000 on the previous week. Despite increased numbers, cows were 10-14c dearer, with prime heavy cows selling from 365-405c to average 385c/kg…Read More

Beef Central, 03/03/2026

All steer and heifer categories show gains in larger 14,298 head online offering

Influenced partly by encouraging rain forecasts, all steer and heifer categories lifted in c/kg price on AuctionsPlus trading last week – mostly by double digits…Read More

Beef Central, 02/03/2026

Australia’s farm gate production value is forecast to exceed $100 billion this financial year – four years ahead of the NFF’s target set back in 2018…Read More

Beef Central, 03/03/2026

AgForce calls for more boots on the ground to eradicate ticks in free zone

Cattle tick outbreaks like the one in Taroom shouldn’t be happening, and education, tighter compliance, and more boots on the ground from the department should all be on the table in response…Read More

AgForce General President Shane McCarthy, 03/03/2026

Does Queensland’s tick line still have integrity?

It has been 10 years since major changes were made to Qld’s cattle tick management and industry is calling for changes, following another outbreak in the free zone…Read More

Lydia Burton, 27/02/2026

Processing

Weekly kill: Southern grids rise on weather changes

Jon Condon, 03/03/2026

Weekly kill: Recent rain events underpin direct consignment pricing

Widespread rain events over the past two weeks appear to have staved-off any prospect of a reduction in direct consignment slaughter cattle prices due to heavy supply, with most rates across Eastern and southern Australia either firm, or in some cases 10c/kg higher than last week…Read More

Jon Condon, 24/02/2026

Artificial intelligence could play role in abattoirs to improve welfare outcomes

A webinar hosted today by the RSPCA looked into the potential to use artificial intelligence in the abattoir environment to improve animal welfare outcomes. Presenter Dr Dana Campbell outlined how recent research had explored the development of AI tools that have application for improving animal welfare during the lairage stage at processing plants…Read More

Jon Condon, 18/02/2026

Weekly kill: Grids steady as weather event fails to deliver for some

Direct consignment slaughter cattle grids were mostly unchanged across eastern Australia this week, as the recent promising weather forecast failed to deliver for some regions in the northern half of the country…Read More

Jon Condon, 17/02/2026

Lotfeeding

Feeder market update: Rain pushes some grids up, big US feedlot shuts

Rain across large parts of the Northern Territory and South Australia has largely been credited for an uptick in prices for some feeder cattle, while large numbers have kept the market firm in other areas…Read More

Eric Barker, 02/03/2026

Feedgrain Focus: Markets lift despite patchy rain in south

Wheat and barley prices have strengthened on limited offerings from growers and the trade, and sorghum has kicked in the midst of the Lunar New Year holiday…Read More

Liz Wells, 02/03/2026

Feedgrain Focus: Qld rain brightens new-crop prospects

Substantial rain over parts of the Qld grainbelt has been welcomed, falling at the ideal time for recently planted sorghum in CQ, and topping up subsoil ahead of winter-crop planting…Read More

Liz Wells, 23/02/2026

Feedlot numbers crack new record, hitting 1.6m head in December quarter

NUMBERS on feed in Australian feedlots have continued to climb to new records, hitting 1.6 million head for the first time in December quarter survey data released this afternoon…Read More

Beef Central, 20/02/2026

Live Export

Ramadan price controls slow cattle exports, but April uplift expected

After a subdued start to the year for northern cattle exports to Indonesia, the stage is set for a return to higher volumes in April, provided northern paddocks dry out in time for cattle movements to flow. ..Read More

James Nason, 24/02/2026

SE Asia Report: Indonesian government cap threatens Australian live feeder price

Australian live feeder prices have now pushed above Indonesia’s effective government price cap | Indonesia again carried the bulk of 2025 volumes, but the Philippines and new breeder markets added welcome depth | Rising feeder prices are pushing exporters to focus more heavily on higher-margin breeder and dairy cattle…Read More

Dr Michael Patching, 10/02/2026

NFF warns Australia not to ‘flinch’ in EU trade talks

The National Farmers’ Federation has urged the Australian Government “not to flinch” in its renewed free trade agreement talks with the European Union, warning that a one-sided deal would lock Australian farmers into decades of disadvantage…Read More

James Nason, 06/02/2026

Opinion: Live export future in ‘ship shape’

Renewed scrutiny of live export shipping capacity risks oversimplifying a highly regulated system where animal welfare outcomes are driven far more by rigorous livestock preparation, strict standards, skilled crews and operational oversight than by the year a vessel was built, writes Australian Livestock Exporters Council CEO Mark Harvey-Sutton..Read More

ALEC CEO Mark Harvey-Sutton, 06/02/2026

Trade

At only 27,000t, Aussie February beef exports to China surprise many

Australia’s February beef export volumes released this morning have included a figure of just over 27,000t for trade into China last month – taking many onlookers by surprise…Read More

Jon Condon, 02/03/2026

Australian beef showcased for the first time at major US arts event

An Australian beef brand has become the first produce brand to be showcased at a major gala event in the United States, aimed at celebrating Australian art in the US…Read More

Beef Central, 02/03/2026

Australia looks likely to trigger Korean Safeguard tariff early

With less than two months’ worth of 2026 export trade completed, Australia looks in danger of triggering its Safeguard tariff for beef exports into South Korea early this year…Read More

Beef Central, 25/02/2026

ACCC tackles Coles, Woolworths in Federal Court over discount claims

The ACCC is tackling both major national supermarket retailers, Coles and Woolworths, via the Federal Court over alleged misleading discount claims. The first of the actions, against Coles, started in the Federal Court in Melbourne this morning…Read More

Jon Condon, 16/02/2026

Genetics

Weekly genetics review: Ensuring bulls are ready for work – beyond a simple ‘pass or fail’

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 03/03/2026

Zoetis buys Neogen’s global animal genetics business

Animal health company Zoetis is to buy Neogen’s global animal genomics business in a deal worth about A$238m.The message delivered in the deal is that Zoetis clearly sees the prediction component of the animal genomics space – where Neogen has established a strong footprint – as a growth opportunity. ..Read More

Beef Central, 03/03/2026

Big beef production hit from negative meat yield trend

Australia’s beef industry needed to arrest its declining lean meat yield performance with increased selection pressure, University of New England meat scientist Prof Peter McGilchrist told the Southern Beef and Lamb School in Wagga Wagga recently…Read More

Terry Sim, 27/02/2026

Weekly genetics review: While you were watching your competitors, the genetic gap widened

One of the many common conversational topics among breeders and producers is centred around price differentials for cattle based on breed. While these discussions are understandable, they risk becoming the wrong conversation, and the distraction created can come at a real cost to breeding programs and even to breeds themselves…Read More

Genetics editor Alastair Rayner, 24/02/2026

Ag Tech

Virtual fencing product approved for use in Victoria

Virtual fencing is now available in Victoria with the State Government approving one product for commercial use…Read More

Beef Central, 19/02/2026

AI isn’t likely to wipe out all farming jobs – but it is changing who bears the risks

The global economy is bracing for major job disruption as artificial intelligence (AI) advances and spreads across industries. Experts have been warning about this shift for years, and fiercely debating whether the benefits of an AI revolution will outweigh the cost of mass displacement in the workforce…Read More

Sophia Duan and David A. Fleming-Muñoz, La Trobe University, 11/02/2026

SA approves virtual fencing bringing it in line with other states

South Australian livestock producers will soon have access to virtual fencing, with the technology legalised this week. ..Read More

Beef Central, 17/12/2025

AI is coming for agriculture, but farmers aren’t convinced

What do the people working the land make of articificial intelligence? We interviewed dozens of Australian farmers about AI and digital technology, and found they had a sophisticated understanding of their own needs and how technology might help – as well as a wariness of tech companies’ utopian promises…Read More

Tom Lee, University of Technology Sydney, 02/07/2025