Latest news with #Meat&LivestockAustralia
West Australian
02-06-2025
- Business
- West Australian
New Meat & Livestock Australia program has launched for southern WA beef producers to boost their programs
A new livestock industry initiative aimed at boosting the productivity and profitability of southern Western Australian beef producers has officially launched. It comes after a call from southern producers for industry to address the unique challenges they face in their region and input practical measures to support them. Meat & Livestock Australia and the Western Australia Livestock Research Council announced the start of the SMARTBEEF project on May 29, which will bring producers together to collaborate, share knowledge and implement practical on-farm improvements. It was designed by MLA, industry experts, the Western Beef Association and the University of Adelaide with climate conditions and shifting market dynamics as the focus. The project's team leader, Economics & Consulting principal, Lucy Anderton, said the project was designed to assist producers in tackling challenges through practical and collaborative learning. 'This project isn't about sitting in a room listening to presentations. It's about producers working together, learning from each other and using practical tools to drive success,' she said. 'It is an opportunity for these producers to improve their understanding of their productivity and profitability.' The program will develop the skills producers require to make data-driven decisions that improve profitability by analysing their financials, cost of production and production systems. They will also gain insights into the WA beef market and market specifications through access to industry experts and supply chain participants. Albany producer Matt Leov is one of several farmers who will showcase best practices — including digital agriculture, reproductive efficiency and sustainability — in their area as part of the program. 'The ability to observe and understand the practices of similar farms presents a significant opportunity for improvement — it has the potential to transform how we operate,' he said. 'I'm particularly looking forward to learning from others and identifying cost-effective strategies that can deliver meaningful results.' The first producer group will start in July and finish in September, 2026, while the second will begin in July 2026 to December 2027. MLA is calling for producers who are interested to sign up before June 30. For further information including how to register, contact Phil Barrett-Lennard at phil@ or on 0429 977 042.
West Australian
15-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Australian Wool Innovation survey set to determine the group's focus for the next six months
Australian sheep producer confidence slumped this time last year and it is now time to determine whether this sentiment has changed in the face of continuing harsh weather conditions and industry uncertainty. Australian Wool Innovation's Sheep Producer Intentions Survey is open for responses throughout May to do exactly this. Data collected will help analysts improve analysis and forecasts, and will be used as a tool when developing Meat amd Livestock Australia programs, to ensure adoption and communication efforts match industry sentiment. The SPIS is conducted in two waves each financial year — one in October and one in May. The surveys ask producers for their sentiment towards the sheep and wool sectors, current flock demographics and future intentions. In the May 2024 report, weather was noted as having the most impact on on-farm decision making for wool, lamb and sheep meat producers in Tasmania, Victoria and South Australia. Meanwhile, WA results noted personal circumstances as a larger decision driver. Personal circumstances included age, workload and succession and were pronounced in regions experiencing prolonged uncertainly. In WA's case, the ban on live sheep exports explained uncertainty sentiments. More than 2000 producers Australia-wide participated in the May survey. As a result of the survey findings, MLA noted personal considerations as an area where the industry may need to place more focus to ensure the longevity and succession of the sector. According to the October 2024 survey findings, negative sentiment dropped a marginal 2 per cent. Results from past reports can be viewed on the Meat & Livestock Australia website .
AU Financial Review
06-05-2025
- Business
- AU Financial Review
Trump tariffs and rain beef up cattle prices to a two-year high
Australian cattle prices have surged to their highest level in more than two years, buoyed by favourable rainfall and heightened trade tensions between the US and China that has renewed buyer interest from Asia. The Eastern States Young Cattle Indicator climbed to $7.12 a kilogram this week – its highest level since March 2023, according to Meat & Livestock Australia. It marks a sharp rebound from the low of $3.49 in late 2023, when drought conditions and market uncertainty dampened sentiment.
