Weekly Cattle and Sheep Market Overview – 29 September 2023
Key Highlights Cattle Insights This week saw an increase in yardings of 5,750, bringing the total to 50,608 head. Most mainland states experienced this rise, except South Australia. Notably, the Leongatha sale yard reported a significant drop from 1,330 head in the previous week to 350. Saleyard cattle prices showed a downward trend, with the […]
El Niño Event and Positive IOD Declared, Reports Bureau of Meteorology
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) confirmed on 19 September the emergence of an El Niño event in conjunction with a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD). It’s crucial to highlight that not every El Niño event signals an imminent drought. The last recorded El Niño manifested a mild to moderate influence on Australia. El Niño phenomena […]
Metabolic Diseases and Their Effects During Calving
Beef cows can experience metabolic disorders such as grass staggers resulting from magnesium deficiency (hypomagnesaemia) or milk fever due to calcium deficiency (hypocalcaemia) around calving time. These conditions can arise from dietary changes, underfeeding, or environmental factors like high soil potassium (K) or low magnesium (Mg) levels. Milk fever symptoms include lethargy, with cows often […]
Australia Presents Livestock Sustainability Achievements at Rome Conference
During the first-ever Global Conference on Sustainable Livestock in Rome, facilitated by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Australia showcased its strides in livestock sustainability. Nicola Hinder, Deputy Secretary of the Federal Government’s agriculture trade group, pointed out that since 2005, the Australian red meat sector has slashed emissions by a commendable 65%. […]
Beef Production in GB Set to Increase, Despite Decline in Youngstock Numbers
Recent findings from the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) suggest an uptick in the number of prime cattle ready for beef production in Great Britain (GB) compared to the previous year. As of 1 July 2023, the total count of the GB cattle herd stood at 7.9 million head, representing a 0.9% dip from the […]
US Legislators Propose Examination of Meat and Poultry Industry Competition
WASHINGTON — A new legislative proposal has been introduced by US Representatives Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) to promote fair competition within the meat and poultry sectors. Named the Livestock Consolidation Research Act, this bill mandates the US Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service (ERS) to undertake a comprehensive study assessing industry consolidation’s […]
Agri Stats Challenged by DoJ Over Alleged Anti-Competitive Meat Practices
The US Department of Justice (DoJ) has lodged a civil antitrust lawsuit against Indiana-based data provider Agri Stats. The lawsuit alleges that Agri Stats engaged in “anti-competitive” practices, which in certain instances resulted in elevated meat prices. The DoJ claims that Agri Stats, established in 1985, facilitated anti-competitive information exchanges among broiler chicken, pork, and […]
Optimal Beef Production System for Southern Rangelands Unveiled
Overview: Recent findings presented at the Australian Rangelands Conference in Broome have shed light on the optimal balance for beef production in Western Australia’s Southern Rangelands. This balance aims to maximise profitability, sustainability, and resilience against drought. Details: Bio-economic modelling conducted by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has revealed that the […]
AMPC Introduces Handbook on Emissions Reduction
Overview: The Australian Meat Processor Corporation (AMPC) has unveiled a handbook dedicated to emissions reduction as a component of its strategic sustainability initiative. This release coincides with the corporation’s ongoing project to generate Australian Carbon Credits (ACCUs) in collaboration with a Queensland-based red meat processor. This processor is set to incorporate a 15MW biomass boiler, […]
NASS Releases 2023 Grain Stocks Report, Highlights Key Figures
LONDON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has unveiled its latest Grain Stocks report, shedding light on the country’s current state of grain stocks. The report indicates a minor decline in corn and soybean stocks as of 1 September 2023. Specifically, old crop corn stocks have been documented at 1.36 […]
