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.

The Beef Central team has hit the road this week for some of the beef industry’s premiere get togethers. Cattle Australia’s Cattle Connect is embedding itself as the national beef industry get together and Roma Young Beef Producers’ Forum continues its popularity in its 21st year. Plus: Sports dietician Peta Carige tells us how science is backing a push to have beef in a healthy diet Young Beef Producers chair Tom Copley gives his thoughts on the forum The number of the week talks mustering contracting, giving blood and why beef and beer go together 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.

Feedlot capacity is continuing to surge in Australia, with pen space to support hundreds-of-thousands of cattle either recently come online or currently under construction. Beef Central has been on the phones trying to find who is behind the current expansions and this episode the Week in Beef will explore some of the learnings from the exercise. Also on the show: Beef Central publisher Jon Condon unpacks the sale of Kimberly Meat Company and prospects of more processing in the north. Riverina producer Michael Gooden explains how he plans to build carbon in his soil. The number of the week looks at the Melbourne Cup, cattle prices and a surge in value of foetal blood. 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.  

More feedlot news has emerged this week, with one of Australia’s largest lotfeeders announcing plans to sell two of its feedlots. Mort & Co has officially listed Yarranbrook and Pinegrove feedlots, along with the license for its proposed Gogango feedlot in Central Queensland. Beef Central publisher Jon Condon gives an insight into how that listing emerged. Also, on the Week in Beef: Meat & Livestock Australia Wagga Wagga market reporter Leann Dax gives an insight into the season in the south states, with cattle heading back to the area after a drought-induced sell-off earlier this year. A new survey of 158,000 tertiary education students has found that students studying agriculture degrees were the most satisfied with their degrees. The number of the week looks at bull selling season, Australian Beef Sustainability Framework, controversy on the dietary guidelines and European Deforestation. 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.

The Week in Beef team this week look into Australia’s largest ever feedlot transaction, the legacy of the sellers and how it fits in with the buyers. Japanese-owned Rangers Valley was purchased by Stanbroke last week for what is believed to be $400m. The property has a feedlot, beef brands and extensive farming and grazing country. Plus: Meat & Livestock Australia managing director Michael Crowley explains how consumer survey respondents are saying they want to eat more beef. Josh Rich from Central Queensland-based Wagyu supply King River talks about his family’s journey towards branded beef success The number of the week talks rain in Victoria, country speed limits and fuel security. 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.

THE dynamics of Australia’s cattle market have shifted quickly in recent weeks, from big shifts of cattle into southern feedlots, a bit of rain in Queensland and more permits issued for live export ships. In this episode of the Week in Beef, the Beef Central team give a quick wrap up of markets across the country. Plus: Why one feedlot operator has offered $250,000 for an operations manager. Rimfire Resources Mick Hay explains why the job is in hot demand Darling Downs beef battle event shows the possibilities of putting beef on share plates. Meat & Livestock Australia's Sam Burke and Dnat Catering's Rob Smithson talk carcase utilisation. Number of the week looks at World Iron Awareness week, International Rural Women's Day, state of the industry and Beyond Meat shares tanking. The Week in Beef is sponsored by Rabobank.

A Lack of detail being provided by the Federal agriculture department on the impact of the Government’s net zero emissions by 2050 target was the source of frustration in this week’s Senate Estimates hearings. Nationals’ senator Matt Canavan led the charge, with a series of questions about how much land was going to be taken up by tree plantings. Read this week’s article for more information: https://www.beefcentral.com/carbon/federal-ag-dept-vague-on-how-much-land-is-needed-for-reforestation/ In the is Episode of the Week in Beef: Jon Condon gives an insight in the Anuga food trade show, which is one of the biggest in the world and had a clear message for the Australian beef industry James Nason talks about some promising varieties of lucaena that have disappeared in recent years The number of the week looks at a push towards plant-based diets, the Advancing Beef Leaders program and the record low American herd.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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  

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.

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