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The Week in Beef is a weekly update of all the biggest stories from the Australian beef industry. Hosted by Beef Central journalists Lydia Burton and Eric Barker, the podcast uses the company’s unique connection with stakeholders across the beef supply chain from paddock to plate to give you a short an easy to digest update on what is making news that week.
The Week in Beef is proundly brought to you by Rabobank.
The Week in Beef is proundly brought to you by Rabobank.
30 Episodes
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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.
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.
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
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