Category: Livestock

South Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer urges pet owners to protect their dogs against ticks after a case of the potentially deadly canine ehrlichiosis disease is recorded in the state’s far north.  Source: ABC Livestock SA records first case of tick-borne disease that killed hundreds of dogs in the Top End

The national cattle industry benchmark, the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator pushed beyond 900c/kg for the first time yesterday, but current trading levels may be hard to sustain, evidence suggests.   Source: Beef Central EYCI cracks record 900c – but is it sustainable?

Queensland grazier Kevin O’Brien says illegal hunters shot and partially butchered two of his prized cows while trespassing on his property near Esk late last month. Source: ABC Livestock Grazier condemns ‘callous’ shooting of cows by illegal hunters

Direct consignment price grids are largely unchanged across eastern and southern Australia this week, as country starts to dry out after earlier rain and the first glimpse of winter appears on the horizon. Source: Beef Central Weekly kill: Grids steady, as first hint of winter approaches

It surely is the best and worst of times for beef processors in North America and Australia, respectively, Beef Central’s monthly US market commentator Steve Kay suggests. Australian processors’ struggles to stem hefty operating losses have been well-documented, and there will be no letup the rest of this year, while in contrast, US grainfed beef… Read more »

An environmental assessment has found the 585km pipeline would likely have an adverse effect on habitat critical to the koala’s survival. Source: ABC Livestock Proposed gas pipeline in western Queensland would significantly impact vulnerable species, including koala

A United States lot feeder has pleaded guilty to defrauding a major processor and another company out of almost a quarter of a billion dollars through what is being dubbed a “ghost cattle” scam. Source: Beef Central US cattle feeder pleads guilty to 4 million “ghost cattle” fraud

AS much of the south eastern regions of Australia continued to dry out this week, the overall supply of cattle continued to remain very tight on AuctionsPlus heading into the Easter break. AuctionsPlus offerings dropped by 3240 head or 30pc on the previous week, to 7365 head. Source: Beef Central Online offerings decline in… Read more »

A panel with plenty of first-hand industry experience offered many practical insights and observations on the key issue of attracting, retaining and training staff at the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association conference in Alice Springs last Friday. Source: Beef Central Cattle station managers and trainers offer tips on finding staff and keeping them

AUSTRALIAN meat processors support the RSPCA’s recommendation for development of national animal welfare standards and guidelines for the nation’s livestock processing plants. The RSPCA yesterday released a detailed report and… Source: Sheep Central Australian meat processors back RSPCA welfare standards call

On this week’s Weekly Grill, host Kerry Lonergan talks with Queensland lotfeeder Charlie Mort on the current red hot market for feeder cattle, the tough operating environment for grainfeeding supply chains, the expansion of the Mort & Co lotfeeding business, and future plans. Source: Beef Central Episode 3 – Charlie Mort

The RSPCA has released a detailed report and interactive map that it says highlights the current state of animal welfare regulation at Australian slaughtering establishments. Source: Beef Central RSPCA report highlights current state of animal welfare regulation in Australian processing

In 2018, John Foote changed supplements for his herd. Less than two years later, more than 400 cattle were dead, but those who sold him the supplements reject any responsibility. Source: ABC Livestock Farmer claims toxic stock lick responsible for hundreds of cattle deaths

For many producers, the cost of bulls is a constant source of discussion. Following last week’s column, it was highlighted to me by by numerous readers that costs associated with bulls are a more complex issue than many realise. There is no doubt this is the case. A key component to offsetting the cost of… Read more »

Australia’s eastern states beef kills in coming weeks look like heading into record low territory for this time of year. While the two weeks either side of the Easter break inevitably record a sharp decline in throughput by around 15-20pc, a combination of very tight cattle supply following recent rain, and numerous short and longer-term… Read more »

For more than a century, the Beaudesert saleyards have been a meeting place for locals across Queensland’s Scenic Rim, but today saw the end of town’s fortnightly pig and calf sale. Source: ABC Livestock ‘Terrible for the people’: Century-old Queensland saleyard holds final sale

On a Thursday one year ago, at the start of the COVID pandemic, MLA received a phone call from an industry organisation asking “what on earth is MLA going to do about the survival of our independent red meat retailers, our butchers?” Source: Beef Central React to real information, not perceived, Jason Strong tells… Read more »

Meat & Livestock Australia managing director Jason Strong provided updates on six key research programs aimed at driving northern profitability at Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association conference in Alice Springs on Friday. Source: Beef Central Six ways industry research is aiming to drive northern cattle productivity gains

Fungi flourishing across the country following heavy rains has seen reports of dogs being poisoned.  Source: ABC Livestock Pet owners warned of potential poison that has flourished in the rain

DESPITE a host of challenges encountered under COVID, global meat processor JBS delivered a spectacular 48 percent increase in pre-tax earnings for its 2020 financial year, announced yesterday. Source: Beef Central JBS delivers 48pc rise in EBITDA in 2020 financial year – despite COVID challenges

FUNDING to give national cattle industry leadership greater clout, resistance to Federal Government live export cost recovery charge hikes, and calls for the industry to collaborate to take full advantage of growing opportunities were key messages in the opening session of this morning’s 36th Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Conference, being held this year at the Alice… Read more »

JBS, the world’s largest animal protein producer, has committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its worldwide operations by 2040. The move is a first across the global meat and poultry sector. Source: Beef Central Processor JBS commits to net zero emissions target by 2040

The Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association will embark on a new three year phase with a brand new leadership team in place with David Connolly, the general manager at the Tipperary Group of Stations in the Northern Territory, set to be announced as the organisation’s next president at the organisation’s annual general meeting in Alice Springs… Read more »

The former head of the NT Cattlemen’s Association is suing the organisation over his unexpected sacking in December 2020. Source: ABC Livestock Former NTCA chief sues organisation over sacking

Wildlife experts say cut grapes and bananas found during autopsies of cassowaries killed in vehicle strikes show people are feeding the birds and contributing to their deaths. Source: ABC Livestock Cassowaries dying on roads because humans are feeding them, wildlife experts say

This week on The Weekly Grill podcast, host Kerry Lonergan turns up the heat on cattle prices, the impact of recent rain on supply, and where the market is likely to head in coming months, with Thomas Elder Markets analyst, Matt Dalgleish and specialist livestock finance supplier StockCo’s Chris Howie. Source: Beef Central Episode… Read more »

With wide attention being drawn recently to the additional cost burden likely to be borne by live exporters if the industry is forced by government to move to full cost recovery in inspection services, it’s worth pausing briefly to look at the parallel path red meat processors have travelled over the past decade. Australian processors… Read more »

The Australian red meat industry is getting closer to having some critical numbers to support its case that cattle and sheep are not contributing to global temperature increases as they are often accused of doing by anti-meat activists and plant-based protein purveyors. Source: Beef Central Putting more relevant numbers around Australia’s livestock emissions

In a super-heated autumn bull demand period, genetics editor Alastair Rayner poses the question, How much can a commercial bull buyer afford to pay for replacements? Source: Beef Central Weekly genetics review: Valuing bulls – how much can commercial buyers afford to pay?

Cost recovery is not a new concept for cattle producers, who are used to paying their way, but critcially, cost efficiencies also need to be explored as part of any assessment of effective regulation, writes Cattle Council of Australia president Markus Rathsmann in this opinion piece in response to Department of Agriculture proposals to increase… Read more »

A NEW mentorship initiative aims to improve career opportunities for women in the global meat industry and help meat businesses develop a strong pipeline of future female leaders has been launched. Source: Sheep Central Meat Business Women launches mentorship initiative

For the past 17 years, artificial inseminator Ange Wilson has been up well before dawn, reaching into the nether regions of hundreds of cows. Source: ABC Livestock She’s been told she has one of the world’s ‘dirtiest’ jobs, but Ange Wilson loves it

The Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association (NTCA) has this week announced the formation of Taskforce Starlight, a collaboration between NT Police, Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade (DITT) Livestock Biosecurity and the NTCA to combat stock theft in the Northern Territory. Source: Beef Central Taskforce Starlight established to combat stock theft in the NT

A police taskforce is established to investigate livestock theft in the Northern Territory. Source: ABC Livestock New strategy to combat stock theft in the NT

THE US beef industry is entering its third year of herd liquidation, at the same time as Australia’s first green shoots of herd rebuilding appear. Thomas Elder Markets analyst Matt Dalgleish says the US female slaughter ratio (FSR) in January opened the season at 50.5pc – well above the 47.5pc threshold that signifies rebuild or… Read more »

Supplementing the diet of beef cattle with red seaweed can more than halve methane emissions without compromising meat quality, according to the results of a US study published overnight in the open-access journal PLOS ONE. Source: Beef Central Seaweed supplements cut livestock emissions but not meat quality: Study

David Luke just wants to run his cattle station. But living near the Carmichael Mine has made that far from easy. Source: ABC Livestock ‘It’s not right’: Taking on a mining giant, dead cattle, and a house in a haze of dust not what this grazier wants

An investigation into the alleged theft of $800,000 worth of cattle is likely to widen with forensic accounting and telephone intercepts to be brought before court within a month. Source: ABC Livestock Cattle rustling case alleges 500 cattle taken from a Perth property

The Australian Livestock and Rural Transporters Association (ALRTA) has supported a proposal by Infrastructure and Transport Ministers to increase heavy vehicle registration and the Road User Charge by 2.5 per cent in 2021-22. Source: Beef Central Livestock transporters support charge increase

Commercial beekeepers are urging backyard enthusiasts to get educated on pests and disease as the hobby takes off. Source: ABC Livestock Beekeeping becomes a popular hobby across Queensland

In response to rising product fraud and increased demand for traceability, MLA and Oritain recently completed a joint project developing the capability to validate the authenticity of Australian red meat and lamb product in foreign markets. Source: Beef Central Validating red meat origins in response to product fraud

Two chemicals have been approved to control grasshoppers in drought-stricken western Queensland, but graziers say it’s too late. Source: ABC Livestock ‘People are on their knees’: Graziers say grasshopper spray approval has come too late

Moderate to significant falls in c/kg value were seen in most young cattle and breeding stock values on AuctionsPlus this week. One of the contributing factors was a 21pc increase in offerings, to 19,226 head. Source: Beef Central Young cattle values drift lower in 19,226 head AuctionsPlus offering

The red meat industry, including processors and meat retailers, is one of 12 sectoral groups that are partnering with the Federal Government in new pilot industry-led employment pathways to help young people into work. Source: Beef Central Recruitment: Pilot aims to attract young people to careers in the red meat industry

Livestock businesses operating in the Maranoa region will have the opportunity to develop their cattle handling and transport skills over two free workshops with renowned industry expert Tom Shephard in the coming weeks. Source: Beef Central Livestock transporters urged to skill up at free Roma workshops

A spate of Tasmanian devil deaths in one of their last strongholds has led to calls for an urgent increase in federal funding to help protect the endangered animals. Source: ABC Livestock Gruesome mass discovery of dead Tasmanian devils

A spate of Tasmanian devil deaths in one of their last strongholds has led to calls for an urgent increase in federal funding to help protect the endangered animals. Source: ABC Livestock ‘Shocking’ mass discovery of dead Tasmanian devils prompts plea for action

Results from a research project investigating solutions to reduce energy use and the environmental footprint of Australian feedlots will be presented in an online workshop later this month. Teys Australia’s Condamine Feedlot in Queensland has hosted the 12-month project, using a Utility Management System to monitor and measure water, gas and electricity use in real-time. … Read more »

There’s been a sharp correction in feeder steer values in Queensland over the past fortnight, with some offers back about 10 percent or 40c/kg from where they sat back in February. One of the nation’s largest feeders of 100-day cattle has adjusted their paddock sale flatback heavy feeder steer rates back to 410c/kg liveweight this… Read more »

Commercial bull buyers prepared to pay $20,000, $25,000 and even $30,000 for herd bull replacements are the real ‘engine room’ driving what is turning out to be an unbelievably good 2021 autumn bull sellling season. Source: Beef Central Commercial buyers drive ‘unbelievable’ 2021 autumn bull sales results

As the Australian beef industry starts to rebuild numbers following years of significant drought, the role of heifer management on successful rebuilding is more crucial than ever. Prof Wayne Pitchford of Adelaide University highlighted this theme in his presentation as parts of MLA’s MeatUp event in South Australia last week.  Source: Beef Central Weekly… Read more »

MAKING sense of livestock and red meat supply, demand and price information is becoming more difficult, but Stockco business development manager Chris Howie advises sheep, goat and cattle producers to be wary of decision paralysis. Source: Sheep Central Chris Howie’s livestock market wrap: Avoid decision paralysis

Making sense of information around supply, demand and prices for livestock and red meat is becoming more difficult with conflicting views appearing in rapid succession through the various information channels. Source: Beef Central Chris Howie’s market wrap: Don’t get caught by decision paralysis

Guinea pig farmers embrace a homegrown protein that is very common in many countries and they say is more socially and ethically responsible than consuming many other meats. Source: ABC Livestock Nice ‘in a cacciatore’: Couple farm their own free-range guinea pig meat

Nearly 2 million hectares of northern cattle country is up for sale with Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Agriculture offering a portfolio of seven stations, 100,000 head of cattle, and a feedlot to the market. Source: ABC Livestock Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Agriculture to sell northern cattle stations with herd

Kangaroo Island beekeepers are desperately trying to keep the world’s purest strain of bees alive after the deadly 2020 bushfires destroyed more than a thousand hives. Source: ABC Livestock Kangaroo Island apiarists desperately try to keep rare bee strain alive