Category: Livestock

Having the right cattle, in the right location, at the right time in the market cycle has seen a Kimberley (WA) cattle station pull off an extraordinary sale result for 2100 young Droughtmaster cattle offered on AuctionsPlus last Friday. Source: Beef Central Innovative marketing exposes Kimberley cattle to red hot eastern states young cattle… Read more »

A NEW world record price of £20,000 or A$36,600 has been set for a working dog at an online auction in England. Source: Sheep Central Working dog records broken at online UK sale

Farmers in south eastern NSW battle an aphid infestation on a scale never seen before, prompting animal welfare concerns. Source: ABC Livestock Aphid outbreak prompts animal welfare concerns from authorities

A Central Highlands Regional Council plan to expand its saleyards in the ‘middle of Emerald’ causes strife as residents worry about property prices, dust and odour, but Mayor says community consulted before approval. Source: ABC Livestock Landowner says ‘people’s life savings will be wiped away’ if saleyards expanded

While all the headline-grabbing attention has focused on bull sales this year, there have also been some outstanding registered female sales results. Genetics editor Alastair Rainer talks to some successful stud masters about what drove their 2020 female sale success, and what was motivating buyers. Source: Beef Central Weekly genetics review: 2020 trends in… Read more »

For the first time in history, heavy cow prices in some Queensland processor grid offers have hit 600c in recent days, valuing a typical 320kg cull female at $1980, before grid penalties. The direct consignment slaughter market has been in a fluid state for the past week, with some grids correcting twice in the past… Read more »

The unique skills of bull catchers will be documented through a new ABC television series that premieres tonight, telling the stories of four groups of ‘outback ringers’ at various locations in the Top End. Source: Beef Central ‘Outback Ringer’ premieres tonight

The names of candidates standing for positions on the Cattle Council of Australia board, to be voted on at the upcoming AGM on November 18, have been released. Source: Beef Central Meet the Candidates – Cattle Council AGM 2020

RESILIENCE through innovation, sustainability, market opportunities and community trust will be the focus of a new Meat & Livestock Australia webinar series starting next month. Source: Sheep Central MLA webinars to focus on livestock industry resilience

Some 12 months ago, Lachlan Macdonald noticed his livestock behaving strangely, presenting symptoms that proved fatal for some of his stock. The results of the investigation that followed only seemed to add to the mystery. Source: ABC Livestock This farmer’s cattle mysteriously went blind — now they’re banned from sale

Droving in 30-plus degree temperatures, every day for three months at a time, is far from an easy day’s work, but there’s an increasing number of people seeking employment in the profession. Source: ABC Livestock Karla’s job isn’t for the faint-hearted but that’s exactly why she is the perfect employee

The NSW NPWS stands firm in its claim that 1080 poison does not pose a risk to native species as it prepares to drop the poison into a national park to cull wild dogs and foxes. Source: ABC Livestock NPWS hits back at environmentalist’s 1080 claims as aerial baiting set to begin

They are unmistakable with their two-metre-wide horns, and are becoming popular in Australia for both their unique looks and their meat. Source: ABC Livestock Horny beasts grow in numbers in rural Australia

There are concerns research on cattle breeding in Australia could be stifled, following another failed attempt by Australia’s cattle industry to block a controversial genome patent from the US. Source: ABC Livestock Australia’s cattle industry chalks up another loss in bid to overturn US-controlled cattle genome patent

A record 3.8 million cattle were graded through the Meat Standards Australia eating quality grading program in 2019-20, representing 46pc of the national adult cattle slaughter. It’s the highest number of cattle graded in a year since MSA’s inception in 1998, according to the 2019-20 MSA Annual Outcomes Report released this week. Source: Beef… Read more »

A new study has further reinforced the potential of red seaweed supplements as a method of significantly reducing enteric methane emissions from cattle. Source: Beef Central Study demonstrates 80pc reduction in methane emissions from cattle

CAMERAS will monitor wild dog activity along Western Australia’s State Barrier Fence Esperance Extension with the help of a $77,000 grant from the Sheep and Goat Industry Funding Scheme. The… Source: Sheep Central Cameras to monitor wild dog activity on WA fence extension

With 460,000 birds and counting destroyed in Victoria amid Australia’s worst-ever avian influenza outbreak, officials in NSW are putting plans in place should the pestilence spread. Source: ABC Livestock NSW braces for avian flu as Victorian death toll climbs towards half a million

BOTH PTIC heifers and cows surged strongly in price in an 11,800 head AuctionsPlus offering this week. Demand remained strong with an 85pc clearance rate overall. Source: Beef Central PTIC females surge in price in 11,800 head AuctionsPlus offering

LAMB sellers are enjoying a price spike in saleyards this week that may be short-lived, but it is a great opportunity if you are quick, Chris Howie says in his latest market wrap Source: Sheep Central Chris Howie’s livestock market wrap – September 2020

The European honeybee has lived in Australia for about 200 years, but feral populations may be hurting native bees and interrupting natural pollination processes. Source: ABC Livestock ‘It’s a problem for everyone’: European honeybees outcompete native bees in the bush and experts are concerned

An animal welfare group says if consumers can see where imported ham and bacon comes from they can choose pork from countries with higher welfare standards. Source: ABC Livestock Country-of-origin labelling could help lift welfare standards for pigs, activists say

Genome technology has unlocked new cattle breeding methods which could improve fertility and lead to increases in profitability, sustainability and productivity. Source: Beef Central Genetic blueprint to more productive cattle herds

Most stud breeders routinely contact all their bull buyers to find out how the sires purchased at last year’s sale performed. This is part of their normal business, yet when we look over the fence at commercial cattle operations, only a very small percentage of producers take the time to follow-up with those that buy… Read more »

A high incidence of bloat reported during this spring’s pasture flush across southeastern Australia has created challenges for producers targeting premium certified grassfed ‘natural’ brand programs. Source: Beef Central Bloat treatment warning for cattle targeted at ‘Natural’ brand programs

One thousand tonnes of cattle ration is milled each day to feed 78,000 head at Australia’s biggest feedlot. Source: ABC Livestock Inside Australia’s biggest cattle feedlot — where pens are full despite industry challenges

Indigenous rangers say the land is at a “breaking point” as they wait for more than two years for the Northern Land Council to approve mustering thousands of wild bovines trampling waterways and habitats for crocodiles and long-neck turtles. Source: ABC Livestock Feral buffaloes destroying native habitat as an application to muster herd delayed… Read more »

For many producers, 2020 has seen a lot of compromise in the approach to replacement females. The need to rebuild numbers has seen many more females kept on with an intention to join. As such, the criteria around replacement females has been relaxed in many herds. While this allows producers a chance to rebuild their… Read more »

Brown the maremma has been on the run since April, and her breeder is sparing no expense in her efforts to rescue the livestock guardian. Source: ABC Livestock Helicopters, wildlife trackers deployed to save missing dog hundreds of kilometres from home

The Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association has floated plans to establish a 16-officer strong Northern Territory Livestock Ranger group. Source: Beef Central Plans floated to create Territory Livestock Ranger squad

Young cattle price records were again re-set on AuctionsPlus yesterday, as light weaner steers pushed past 700c/kg for the first time. Confidence in the cattle market continued to strengthen with the 14,429 head offered this week achieving an 84pc clearance. The dearer market trend was evident in most stock categories. Source: Beef Central Young… Read more »

Thirty horses on a cattle station in the Northern Territory have been shot dead in an incident that has left station staff shocked and bereaved. Source: ABC Livestock Police investigate deaths of 30 station horses after feral shooting allegedly goes wrong

Organic cattle producers will now have a route to market through Longreach following confirmation the Western Queensland Livestock Exchange (WQLX) has been granted organic certification. Source: Beef Central WQLX meets organic cattle market with certification

Farmers are reporting koalas being chased by cattle, being trampled to death in the field, and even being tossed into the air. Researchers hope to back the anecdotal evidence that cattle may be koala killers. Source: ABC Livestock ‘Trampled, tossed in the air’: How much of a threat are cattle to koalas?

The impacts of COVID‑19 means some cattle producers may not be able to attend bull sales this buying season – especially if they need to travel interstate. However, this doesn’t mean the quality of sire selections needs to be impacted. Source: Beef Central Choosing replacement bulls when you can’t attend a sale

In all the excitement of a record year for bull sales across the country, there are many producers looking at their budgets and re-evaluating how they value new bulls. Just as a bull’s influence will last over 10 years, the value his genetic contribution can be far-reaching. Its important not to measure value only in… Read more »

Queensland’s new Morven rail freight hub is now officially open, with weekly services providing a new channel to get slaughter cattle to market out of the state’s Central west quickly and efficiently. Source: Beef Central Morven rail freight hub will smooth livestock supply

Have you ever seen thousands of bees suddenly converge in one spot? It might be a scary sight, but experts say they are just rehoming and should be left alone until they can be moved safely. Source: ABC Livestock Who you gonna call when a queen bee visits with her ‘bee beard’ in tow?

Farmers in north-west Victoria use dollops of pink, dough-like goo to splatter trees with smells that not only attract bees, but also compels them to stay rather than go foraging in forests elsewhere. Source: ABC Livestock Chemistry is the bee’s knees as pheromones used to stimulate almond flower pollination

Almond farmer Tony Filippi has found a novel approach to attract more bees to his orchard, using dollops of pink, dough-like goo to splatter trees with pheromones that compel bees to bring back more of their friends to help with the pollination. Source: ABC Livestock This Victorian farmer is using ‘the splatagator’ to shoot… Read more »

Climate change is a crisis more serious than any wars ever fought, and one that will require millions of more animals on the land to reverse, according to prominent ecologist and regenerative agriculture specialist Dr Allan Savory. Source: Beef Central Allan Savory urges world leaders to recognise role of livestock in reversing climate change