The Week in Beef

Innisfail abattoir bought, US beef to Australia, Zanda McDonald tribute

Following a trip through Western Queensland watching the dozens of trucks transporting cattle through the area, the Week in Beef gives an insight into the newest display at the Longreach Stockman’s Hall of Fame.
Alongside the induction of Beef Central’s Jon Condon and ABC Landline’s Peter Lewis into the Rural Press Club Hall of Fame, a display was unveiled for late industry leader Zanda McDonald who tragically passed away in 2013.
The Week in Beef plays some of the audio you can hear at Zanda McDonald’s display. Plus:
Jon Condon talks about the import of United States beef into Australia for the first time in 22 years.
North Qld butcher Doug Cross tells us about his plans with Innisfail abattoir, which has been out of action for almost 20 years.
The number of the week looks weather forecasts, drunk cows and processing capacity in Qld.
The Week in Beef is sponsored by Rabobank.

Live ex prices up, feedgrain prices down, frustration as compliance builds

The slow but relentless build of paperwork Australian cattle producers are required to do has been creating plenty of frustration, with Australia allowing the import of beef from the United States and Europe trying to implement a ban on goods linked to deforestation.
Central Queensland producers, lotfeeder and processor Josie Angus has been raising concerns about the amount of compliance the industry is putting on itself – arguing that that it should be pushing back on some regulations.
Plus:
Beef Central publisher James Nason explains the increasing prices of live export cattle
Grain Central editor Liz Wells gives insight into the upcoming harvest and the prospect of cheap grain ending up in feedlots
And, the number of the week looks at kill numbers, climate targets, telecommunications commitments and the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame.

September 18 - Lotfeeders numbers of the week, producers transport responsibilities

Australia's growing lotfeeding sector has gathered in Toowoomba this week to help support the future of the sector.
The Future Feeders’ Network was set up earlier this year, with its conference opening the event yesterday and a research focused day taking over today.
In this episode of the Week in Beef:
Future Feeders Network chair and Condabri procurement manager Tim Mitchell talks lotfeeding careers and where he sees the cattle market going
ALFA president and Teys general manager feedlots Grant Garey talks feedlot innovation
James Nason runs us through producers responsibilities when transporting goods off farm
Lotfeeders give numbers of the week – ranging from cattle on feed to probiotic trials

11 September: Revolutionary cattle ramp, ag staff sacked, ticks on the move

FOLLOWING a trip to Mount Surprise in North Queensland, this week’s podcast follows the livestock transport industry’s call for producers to up their standards with cattle loading.
In a showcase of what can be done, former producer and livestock transporter John Lethbridge has used his retirement to create the perfect loading ramp. In this episode:
John Lethbridge explains how the ramp works and his nephew Russell Lethbridge says it is time for the industry to follow suit
Public Service Association assistant secretary Troy Wright says hundreds of job cuts in the NSW ag department will have a huge impact on the industry
Qld assistant minister for primary industries Sean Dillon urges southern producers to keep a look out for ticks
The number of the week looks at the value of a 40-foot container of beef, virtual fencing collars and the numbers heading through Australia’s biggest selling centre.
The Week in Beef is sponsored by Rabobank, Australia's most recommended agri bank in 2025.

4 September - Feeder market on fire, stud sales strong, opportunity in timber

Feeder cattle prices have continued their momentum this week, with the Darling Downs flatback feeder steer price reducing the 100c premium for Angus steers.
In this episode of The Week in Beef, we discuss how grids have risen this week, what that means for feedlot margins and why the numbers are lining up for lighter cattle to enter the feedlot.
Plus:
What will it take to get more Australian superannuation funds to invest in agriculture
Beef Central genetics editor Alastair Rayner gives an update on bull selling season
Timber Queensland CEO Mick Stephens talks about the opportunities for cattle producers to harvest timber
The number of the week looks at herd projections, price indicators and supporting livestock transporters

Southern rain pushes cattle prices to three year high, debate over deforestation, locusts swarm

YOUNG cattle prices are continuing to rise at the saleyards, with the benchmark Eastern Young Cattle Indicator crossing 900c/kg for the first time since 2022.
In this week’s episode of the Week in Beef, we look at how the situation has changed from a mass sell-off of cattle from Victoria and South Australia at the start of the year to producers getting back in the market and pushing prices up.
Ray White Albury director James Brown gives an update on the season in the south
We chat about all the updates on deforestation pledges, from supermarket sustainability reports to hides heading to the European Union
Longreach producer Boyd Webb explains they there is some frustration with the way a locust outbreak has been handled
Number of the week looks at increasing beef consumption, weight loss in a recent snow storm and upcoming climate reporting
 

Week in Beef August 21: From free lunches in Indonesia to high value beef brands

From plans to give every school student in Indonesia a free lunch, to a proliferation of high marbling beef brands, this episode of the Week in Beef shows the diversity of markets the Australian beef industry services.
The Australian live export industry is still trying to navigate the agenda of the new Indonesian Government, who has done away with beef quota and given plenty of signals that Australian cattle will be needed. On today’s episode:
James Nason discusses the bold plan to feed school children and explains how there is still uncertainty about permits
Australian Brahman Breeders’ Association president Reade Radel explains how a recent steer trial is opening new marketing possibilities for Brahman cattle
Jon Condon runs us through the development of high marbling beef brands and how processors have become more sophisticated on realising their value
And, the number of the week segment looks into the cattle on feed numbers, US Government pulling funding for solar panels on farmland and a growth in southern interest for Northern property.

Week in Beef August 14: Debate over Ekka, cotton in cattle country, submit your number of the week

From cattle in Brisbane to cotton in some of the most remote parts of Australia, this week’s episode of the Week in Beef is covering issues from across the country.
Debate has erupted about how much of Queensland’s Ekka cattle show should be put in front the crowds, with concerns raised about the show starting after the cattle have gone. Plus:
AAM managing director Garry Edwards talks about his plans for cropping in the north after a new cotton gin was opened in Kununurra
Beef Central publisher Jon Condon talks about a long-term trend towards increasing price volatility in the cattle market
We call for listeners to submit their number of the week, by leaving it in the comments section or emailing admin@beefcentral.com
The Week in Beef is brought to you by Rabobank

The Week in Beef August 8: City meets country at the Brisbane Ekka

AS the beef industry descends on the Queensland capital this week, there was a sense of optimism among the crowd with a feeling that industry was going through one of those rare times where most ends of the supply chain were making money.
The Week in Beef podcast was there to capture the action on Ekka Beef week, including:
Rabobank analyst Angus Gidley-Baird on where the current rising market might be heading next
The winners of the Paddock to Palate awards and the Young Auctioneers competition
And Beef Central publisher Jon Condon gives an insight into the world’s largest grassfed beef program
The Week in Beef Podcast is brought to you by Rabobank, Australia’s Most Recommended Agri Bank 2025.

The Week in Beef July 31: Saleyard prices up, Rain in the Riverina, getting more ag in classrooms

While a decision to loosen restrictions on United States beef imports has dominated headlines, this week’s episode of the Week in Beef delves further into some of the other issues impacting the beef industry.
Saleyard prices have reached their highest point in three years and processors are prioritising quantity over quality as they try to service the growing demand for ground beef in the US. And:
Wagga Wagga-based saleyards reporter Leann Dax explains the renewed optimism rain has brought to the Riverina
We wrap up the Australian Government’s decision to loosen restrictions on US beef with Agforce general president Shane McCarthy
Australian Country Choice CEO Anthony Lee explains the next step an industry-wide effort to get agriculture into classrooms
The Week in Beef Podcast is brought to you by Rabobank, Australia’s Most Recommended Agri Bank 2025.