Category: Livestock

Raymond Goldsworthy packed up his life in town and moved to his grandparents’ cattle station when his grandfather was limited to a wheelchair and no longer able to run the property. Source: ABC Livestock From power points to a cattle joint, a young sparky returns to help run a family property

The number of commercial queen bee breeders is dwindling by the day, leaving beekeepers to battle to secure the much-needed queens that are vital for each hive’s honey production. Source: ABC Livestock Queen bee shortage leaves beekeepers in Australia struggling to rebuild hives

Young cattle prices remained near record levels in a larger offering of 12,260 head on AuctionsPlus this week. A clear recent trend has been the restoration of premiums paid for Wagyu cross backgrounder and feeder cattle, with four steer and heifer categories in this week’s sale topped by F1 Wagyu.    Source: Beef Central … Read more »

A Wangaratta cattle farmer who pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges has been given a 12 month undertaking to be of good behaviour without conviction and ordered to pay the court $1500. Source: Beef Central Wangaratta farmer pleads guilty to cattle cruelty

After more than a decade in development, an Australian developed feral pig bait has received regulatory approval. Source: Beef Central New feral pig bait receives regulatory go ahead

Ameliah Scott isn’t your average vet. She lives on a remote station in the outback and travels hundreds of kilometres to tend to sick, injured and pregnant animals of all shapes and sizes — by plane. Source: ABC Livestock Meet the flying vet who saves animals across the outback

CHILLER room secrets are revealed in the Australian Intercollegiate Meat Judging Association’s first episode of its podcast series, released this week. Source: Sheep Central Chiller room secrets revealed in ICMJ podcast

The Australian Intercollegiate Meat Judging Association (ICMJ) has released the first episode of its podcast series, ‘Chiller Room Secrets: the stories behind the Australian meat industry’s quest for perfection’. Source: Beef Central ICMJ launches new podcast series with meat industry heavyweight

People in Australia have had to wait months for a dog due to a surge in demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Tonga’s main island of Tongatapu has the opposite problem. Source: ABC Livestock ‘The dog population is exploding’: How COVID has led to a puppy boom in Tonga

One hungry pug’s gastronomical adventures prompt a warning to animal owners about small children’s toys. Source: ABC Livestock ‘To my shock he’d eaten 11’: Hungry pug takes on Hungry Hungry Hippos

MLA has recommenced reporting the over-the-hooks (OTH) indicators and feeder report and yarding reports after shutting down for the Christmas period. Source: Beef Central MLA Indicators return to operation after shutdown

Southern rock lobster fishermen fear plans to use seismic testing to look for oil and gas reserves in the Bass Strait could threaten crayfish populations. Source: ABC Livestock Southern rock lobster industry fears seismic testing in Bass Strait could threaten crayfish populations

NEW South Wales livestock producers are being urged to be prepared for the threat of bushfires this summer, including low-risk holding areas. Source: Sheep Central NSW livestock producers urged to prepare low fire-risk areas

INTRODUCING dingoes into Victoria’s Grampians National Park or the Garriwerd region to manage fox and cat numbers is a “completely flawed” idea, according to National Wild Dog Management co-ordinator Greg Mifsud. Source: Sheep Central Victorian farmers oppose national park dingo proposals

As the dust settles on last week’s record-breaking southern weaner sales, market analyst Murray Arnel and three Elders livestock managers last night took a deeper dive via video interview into some of the main trends that emerged and the outlook for demand and prices from here. Source: Beef Central 2021 weaner sales: ‘era of… Read more »

Beef farmers are paying up to 40 per cent more at young cattle sales amid “frantic” conditions, but will they turn a profit if the market falls? Source: ABC Livestock ‘Unheard of’ prices put pressure on cattle farmer margins

A feedlot in South Australia tries its hand at fattening camels as popular cooking shows create a hunger for exotic meat in gastronomes. It also provides a new pathway for reducing the feral population. Source: ABC Livestock South Australian feedlot fattens feral camels as consumer appetite for gourmet meat grows

It is hoped a multi-million-dollar extension to a predator-proof fence will help regional New South Wales recover from the trifecta of drought, bushfires and COVID-19. Source: ABC Livestock 724km extension for wild-dog fence to almost double its length

Vets in regional and rural areas are struggling to keep up with demand, as more people take up companion animals in the COVID-19 pandemic.  Source: ABC Livestock Vet shortage putting pressure on clinics and pets at risk

An Indigenous organisation and its former chief executive have been charged over the deaths of hundreds of animals on a station in WA’s far north. Source: ABC Livestock Animal cruelty charges laid almost two years after mass cattle deaths in Kimberley

Nearly 1,000 dogs may have already died from an exotic tick-borne disease that is rapidly spreading through remote Indigenous communities, according to a Top End vet. Source: ABC Livestock Vet expects dog deaths ‘in the thousands’ due to exotic tick-borne disease

Just weeks after the “world’s loneliest elephant” was rescued from a life of misery in Islamabad Zoo, two Himalayan brown bears have been flown to their new home. Source: ABC Livestock Last animals rescued from Pakistan zoo after it was ordered to close

Recent sightings of packs of wild dogs along the central Queensland coast has highlighted the threat of attack to livestock remains a very real concern for cattle producers in Queensland. Source: Beef Central Wild dogs affecting cattle industry throughout Queensland

An official ground-breaking ceremony was held this morning on the site of the new Thomas Foods International processing plant site near Murray Bridge in South Australia’s east. Source: Beef Central TFI starts construction at its new Murray Bridge processing site

Cattle producers are reporting high ongoing rates of National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) tag losses, almost 14 years after it became compulsory in Australia for all cattle to have an NLIS device at the time of sale for traceability purposes. Source: Beef Central Tag retention: NLIS tag losses still frustrating producers

In a breakthrough for owners of working dogs at risk of being lost to snakebite, a leader in the development of snake antivenom believes a protective vaccine for dogs and cats could be on the cards. Source: Grain Central Snake bite vaccine for working dogs could be on the way

It might be a tad slow compared to a busy hospital, but Jane Goff looks forward to conquering the global escargot trade with her vertical farm in regional WA. Source: ABC Livestock It’s been a slow start, but this nurse is well on her way to becoming a snail farmer

MLA’s annual saleyard survey has been released. Conducted with the support of the Australian Livestock Markets Association, the survey identifies the total number of cattle and sheep consigned to Australia’s saleyards over the course of a financial year, at both national and state levels. Source: Beef Central Australia wide saleyards’ throughput for 2019–20

The way livestock is handled has changed dramatically over the last 75 years, with animal welfare standards and practices continuing to evolve as science and technology advances. Source: ABC Livestock How animal farm husbandry has improved with age

Almost anybody working long enough in the bush will have a story about losing a good working dog to snakebite. Now, a leader in the development of snake antivenom believes a protective vaccine for dogs and cats could be on the cards using new scientific techniques developed around the race to develop a a COVID-19… Read more »

Police in Queensland have charged a man with multiple offences related to cattle theft in Mundubbera. Source: Beef Central Man charged with stock stealing and fraud

Why experience and understanding trumps luck in understanding the trends | Don’t get wound up about market indicators, look for the subtle changes inside the larger number | Positivity in the livestock industry should be our focus leading into 2021. Source: Beef Central Chris Howie’s livestock market wrap Nov 2020: So what is in… Read more »

Hot, dry conditions across large parts of eastern Australia pushed a few more cattle in front of processors last week, but direct consignment grid offers continue to slide in many regions, in the face of very flat international meat trading conditions. Source: Beef Central Weekly kill: Grids slip further in face of listless export… Read more »

An Adelaide vet who refused to hand over a blind dog’s full treatment records when its owners moved to Victoria has been fined and reprimanded. Source: ABC Livestock Adelaide vet fined for not handing over blind dog’s medical records

A little red flying fox found in suburban Cairns has tested positive for the lethal, rabies-like lyssavirus — just as bat activity booms during breeding season. Source: ABC Livestock Deadly bat disease detected in Queensland as authorities report spike in bites and scratches

A LEADER in the development of snake antivenom believes a protective vaccine for dogs and cats could be developed using proven science and new COVID-19 inspired methods. Padula Serums Pty… Source: Sheep Central Could you use a snake bite vaccine for your working dog?

The key access road in northern New South Wales has been closed to heavy vehicles for more than a month and local farmers say their incomes are taking a hit. Source: ABC Livestock ‘No business, no money’: Road closure leaves cattle farmers without income

If forecast La Niña rain doesn’t eventuate soon, cattle producers already struggling with a heatwave in western Queensland face a livestock sell off, say agents. Source: ABC Livestock Big heat and failed rain put de-stocking squeeze on outback Queensland graziers

Good seasons and low livestock numbers pushed the Australian cattle market to new price records through October and November, and strong prices are expected to continue into early 2021 despite COVID and trade concerns, according to a global report released today by Rabobank. Source: Beef Central Australian cattle prices to remain strong into 2021,… Read more »

A combination of more bulls being catalogued for sale by bull breeders, and dramatically higher sale clearance rates has driven a 10pc increase in the number of bulls sold at auction this year across Australia. Source: Beef Central 2020 bull sales: 10pc increase in numbers sold at auction

Cattle Council of Australia is calling for expressions of interest to join the CCA Pilot Policy Council and working groups in 2021. Source: Beef Central Cattle Council searches for ‘best in the business’

If La Nina delivers widespread rainfall in coming months, cattle prices are forecast to ease from all-time highs by mid-2021 – but a failed wet season and return to dry conditions for southern Australia would see prices decline by an estimated 30 percent by late 2021, a forecast released this morning says. Source: Beef… Read more »

VICTORIAN farmers have been reminded of the importance of being prepared and having a bushfire plan in place for their livestock. Source: Sheep Central Livestock producers urged to make bushfire plans now

Western Australian livestock owners, industry and the community are being encouraged to provide feedback on a proposal to make earmarking and branding of stock optional. Source: Beef Central WA considers an end to mandatory cattle branding

Detectives investigate whether or not calves on a Victorian rural property were poisoned and are waiting for autopsy reports. Source: ABC Livestock Police investigate suspected poisoning of 75 calves

The isolation of northern cattle stations means COVID-19 was just a ‘small hiccup’ for the next generation of Kimberley cowboys. Source: ABC Livestock ‘Sometimes it feels like the cows want to kill you’: Trainee stockmen loving tough Kimberley initiation

While it is ‘entirely possible’ that the EYCI will reach 1000c/kg in early 2021, it likely to be unsustainable if achieved, NAB Agribusiness says in its latest monthly report. Already expensive compared to our competitors, a drier second half of 2021 will likely result in downward trend in Australian cattle prices into the second half… Read more »

The end of the long dry season, before the arrival of the wet, may seem an unusual time for extensive Northern Australian cattle properties to be hitting the market, but a string of them have done so over the past few weeks. In this week’s property review, industry contacts look at what’s driving it. … Read more »

Knowing the long-term carrying capacity of a property or paddock is essential information for managers of extensive grazing businesses. While it is a contentious issue, there is an established, evidence-based process for estimating long term carrying capacity. Source: Beef Central Determining long-term carrying capacity

Ongoing dry conditions in northern Australia and near-irresistible high prices in 2020 has seen a dramatic rise in the numbers of young cattle offered out of Queensland through AuctionsPlus this year, with weaner and yearling listings up 159pc, year to date. Source: Beef Central North/South seasonal contrasts provide big exodus of QLD young cattle

With heavy pockets, Will Durkin will make the 1,600-kilometre journey back home to Charters Towers after winning the largest cash prize offered at the Coolah campdraft. Source: ABC Livestock ‘More fun’ than winning the lottery: North Queensland cowboy wins big as campdrafts return