The Week in Beef

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

AS a recent decision to change Federal environmental law creates uncertainty and concern among cattle producers, debate has emerged about how the industry can better advocate for itself.
The news of Labor’s deal with the Greens broke in the middle of the Livexchange conference in Perth – where a recent decision to phase out live sheep exports had many concerned for the future.
In this episode of the Week in Beef:
Queensland primary industries minster Tony Perrett calls for immediate reversal of changes to the environmental laws.
Food nutritionist Dr Anneline Padayachee talks about why the live export industry is so important.
Jon Condon talks to Wagyu branded beef competition steward Dr Alex Ball, one of the most elaborate competitions around
The number of the week talks monthly beef exports and feeding cattle broccoli leaves
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.
 

Auctioneers across the eastern seaboard have been busy this week as saleyards fill up on the back of cattle prices hitting their highest point this year.
GDL principal Peter Daniel joins the Week in Beef podcast to discuss what is driving it and whether the market can hold up under the weight of numbers. Plus:
Beef Central publisher Jon Condon dissects the changes in the tariff regime from US Donald Trump and talks about what they might mean for Australian beef.
Eric Barker talks about the future of the live export industry with Holly Ludeman from the Livestock Collective.
The number of the week looks at the Indonesian population and the new Federal environmental laws.

Gunnedah farmer and Australian army veteran Tim Lee showed boundless depths of courage when he stepped up to the microphone and shared a deeply personal story in front of 250 people at the Young Beef Producers Forum in Roma last week.
He then caught up with Beef Central's James Nason to share his story for the Week in Beef podcast.

Another large-scale Australian feedlot has hit the market this week, making it the fifth of its kind to go up for sale recent months.
Smithfield Cattle Company today announced it was testing the market with its feedlot at Proston in the South-Burnett region of Queensland.
Smithfield’s announcement follows a similar move from Mort & Co, which has put the Pinegrove and Yarranbrook feedlots on the market, Elders with its Killara feedlot on the Liverpool Plains and Rangers Valley, which recently sold to Stanbroke. Plus:
Australian Agricultural Company managing director David Harris talks half yearly profits, feedlot expansion and the future of the Livingstone abattoir in Darwin.
Tim Lee talks about how his adoption of regenerative agriculture has helped him recover from the battlefields of Afghanastan and Iraq.
The number of the week talks National Ag Day, record beef production and national environmental laws.
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.