The Week in Beef

Major feedlot sold | Murray Watt on EPBC | Floods headed for the channels

In this episode of the Week in Beef:
Elders announces the $195.8m sale of its Killara Feedlot to a southern meat processor.
Peter Hughes talks about the big rain that has fallen right across Northern Australia, including his Lake Nash station on the Barkly Tableland.
Jon Condon talks US beef officially coming back onto Australian shores.
Environment minister Murray Watt discusses changes to the EPBC.
The number of the week talks EYCI guesses, supermarket theft and the value of Australian cattle sales.

Full interview: Saleyard agents give honest take on cattle tick outbreaks

Agents at one of the Australia's biggest saleyards have given a frank and honest assessment of repeated tick outbreaks that are being traced back to their selling centre.
Following repeated concerns about the growing number of ticks outbreaks causing health issues and death in cattle in "clean" areas, Dalby saleayard agent and association president Brendan Gilliand says he is worried about the future if changes are not made.

Agents address ticks | Australia’s biggest US export | Toyota ad pulled up

In this episode of The Week in Beef:
A growing number of tick outbreaks in “tick free” areas is frustrating producers and agents alike, who are stepping up their calls for change.
Welcome rain in dry areas of Queensland shuts Australia’s biggest saleyard.
Environment minister Murray Watt visits cattle producers in Central Qld to discuss issues with new Federal laws.
The number of the week launches Beef Central “guess the EYCI” competition, learns about Australia’s biggest export to the United States, a Toyota ad that was pulled up by the advertising watchdog and a not-so-good weather outlook.

Rain in the red centre | Questions over EPBC | The rise of Brazilian beef

In this episode of the Week in Beef:
Sixth generation Northern Territory pastoralist Shannen Hayes talks river running rain in the red centre.
Nationals’ senator Susan McDonald raises questions about the credibility of the recently passed Federal environmental laws.
Elders analyst Richard Koch talks about the rise of Brazilian beef in global markets.
The number of the week looks at stock horse prices and forecast rain.

Forgotten capacity issue | Pre-vaccination surge | Tick numbers cross the line

In this episode of the Week in Beef:
Lydia Burton talks about the latest tick outbreak in Queensland, where producers are frustrated a lack of Government response
Jon Condon looks into the rise of pre-vaccinated cattle entering feedlots.
The forgotten capacity issue: James Nason explains how a lack of accredited ships is impacting the live export industry
The number of the week looks at a recent soil carbon credit issuance, the sheer number of tick outbreaks in clean areas of Qld, Australian cattle herd size and where is the best saleyard canteen

Floods | Fires | Forward predictions | Frank’s inspiring journey to OAM

As Australia lives up to its reputation of being a land of extremes, the Week in Beef team takes a look at what the extreme weather is doing to the cattle industry.
Victoria is currently on alert for more bushfires, a heatwave has hit New South Wales and Southern Queensland the Gilbert River in North Qld is preparing for a major flood. Plus:
James Nason talks about how the Indonesian Government’s lowered cap on beef pricing could impact Australia’s live cattle trade.
Northern Territory cattleman Frank Shadforth awarded an Order of Australia medal for his lifetime of work mentoring at risk youth.
The number of the week takes a rest for the Beef Central team to look at what might happen in the year ahead – from cattle prices, to exotic diseases and whether Australia might send a live export boat to the United States.

Heifers shine at weaner sales | LSD in Bali | Gun buybacks coming

This week’s podcast episode goes from weaner sales in the south, to disease outbreaks in Indonesia and over to the meat judging competitions in the United States.
With good seasons in parts of Victoria, producers appear to be looking to restock with a surprising on heifers. The team from the Week in Beef catches up with:
Hamilton-based TDC agent Guy Robertson to discuss the trends of the Western Districts weaner sales.
Beef Central publisher James Nason to discuss the significance of a Lumpy Skin Disease outbreak in the popular tourist island of Bali.
Australian Intercollegiate Meat Judging team member Zoe Skinner about the team’s success in the US.
And the number of the week looks at FMD in South Africa and new laws passed this week to change gun laws and buy back surplus weapons.
Available every Thursday afternoon on the Beef Central website, or via YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, I Heart Radio, Podbean and other podcast platforms. Search for: The week in beef and click subscribe.

Fire, floods cause havoc | China tariff impacts | Weaner sale trends

In the first episode of 2026, the Week in Beef takes a deep dive into the natural disasters that are having an impact across the eastern seaboard.
Fires have been wreaking havoc in Victoria, while North West Queensland producers are bracing for more rain after devastating flooding.
In this episode:
Sheep Central editor Terry Sim gives an update on the bushfires and seasonal conditions in Victoria.
Beef Central publisher Jon Condon takes a deep dive into the impact of new tariffs imposed on Australian beef by China.
The number of the week looks at livestock losses on a national perspectives, US dietary guidelines and early live export activity.
Available every Thursday afternoon on the Beef Central website, or via YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, I Heart Radio, Podbean and other podcast platforms. Search for: The week in beef and click subscribe.

Top trends that defined 2025 “the Goldilocks year”

In its inaugural year of recording, the Week in Beef has decided to take a look back at the trends that defined 2025 and what they mean for the year ahead.
With Beef Central publishers Jon Condon and James Nason, the Week in Beef unpacks the top five trends of 2025 – including:
The Goldilocks year – at the start of the year Jon Condon said a rare phenomenon called the “Goldilocks year” was shaping – where all ends of the supply chain get a good share of the profits. We discuss whether that has happened.
Trump presidency – while Australian beef no longer has tariffs for entry to the US, there are some lasting impact of the Trump presidency.
Trade competition – key competitors Brazil made big moves to gain access to some of Australian beef’s high value markets.
Vegetation management scrutiny – a big decision by the Federal Government to update the EPBC act has dominated headlines in recent weeks, but the scrutiny on tree clearing was one that was building up across the year.
Protein on trend – a growing recognition of the importance of protein has driven a resilient beef market.
Plus we look at the most surprising stories of the year and best events of the year.
 
Available every Thursday afternoon on the Beef Central website, or via YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, I Heart Radio, Podbean and other podcast platforms. Search for: The week in beef and click subscribe.

Big numbers hit saleyards | Activists high court win | State of play in WA

Auctineers have continued their busy finish to 2025, with the national yarding figures heading well above the average for the fifth week in a row.
The past two weeks have seen the national yarding go above 100,000 head, something that has only happened three times this year. Numbers are still up this week with the yarding on 77,000 – with some big sales to come.
Also on the Week in Beef:
Animal activists have scored a win in their fight to release illegally obtained footage from abattoirs. Sue Webster talks about the broader implications of that decision.
Eric Barker explains the state of play in WA with Brent Dancer from sheep and beef processing company V & V Walsh and Donovan McDonald from Big Don's Smokehouse.
Number of the week talks feedlot shade, virtual fencing, European deforestation and how New South Wales producer David Alker came to his number that won the Beef Central's guess the EYCI competition.
Available every Thursday afternoon on the Beef Central website, or via YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, I Heart Radio, Podbean and other podcast platforms. Search for: The week in beef and click subscribe.