Sheep Genetics is the national genetic evaluation service for the Australian sheep industry, providing ram breeders and buyers with the tools to improve the genetic merit of their flocks. Managed by Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), Sheep Genetics provides the services to increase the rate of genetic progress across the industry. The Advisory Committee provides MLA with strategic direction for the continued development of the key Sheep Genetics programs of LAMBPLAN and MERINOSELECT. 

Applications are being sought from industry leaders for two positions on the Sheep Genetics Advisory Committee. Meat & Livestock Australia are currently seeking individuals with the following experience and skills; 

Involvement in the areas of breeding and marketing of seed stock  Knowledge and understanding of genetic evaluations and livestock breeding  Business and communication expertise  Experience in agricultural extension  A track record in contributing to an effective team, committee or board  Involvement in marketing of agricultural products and/or services. 

The Sheep Genetics Advisory Committee will assist the Australian sheep industry and MLA to deliver nationally consistent genetic information to the wool, lamb and sheep meat sectors.

The Australian red meat industry, under the leadership of the EU / UK Red Meat Market Access Taskforce (Taskforce), met with the Ministers for Trade and Agriculture in Canberra yesterday to discuss ambitions for trade reform in both the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK).

The Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Senator Simon Birmingham, and Minister for Agriculture, Senator Bridget McKenzie, discussed market access priorities across the region, including the Australia-EU Free Trade Agreement (A-EU FTA) negotiations, a future Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement (A-UK FTA) and the status of current market access arrangements while those FTAs are explored.

Incoming Taskforce chair Andrew McDonald said while recent events such as the US securing a majority country specific share of the High Quality – Grainfed quota (HQB-GF), were disappointing, the Taskforce and the Australian Government remain united in their commitment to secure long-term access for industry’s future trade with Europe.

The majority of eastern states sheep and lamb saleyard indicators have steadied since early June, after a period of sharp gains.

A declining supply of finished lambs has seen heavy lamb prices (over 22kg cwt) continue to perform exceptionally well, reaching 907/kg cwt (carcase weight) on Tuesday, up 262¢ year-on-year and unchanged since 1 June. Strong export demand has translated into elevated saleyard prices, with processors competing fiercely in the face of declining supply.

With the expectation for supplies to further contract during winter, the modest easing trend for trade lambs (18.1-22kg cwt) is unlikely to be maintained. Last year, trade lamb prices briefly retreated during  August after a sustained rise during June and July, before kicking on to set highs in September. On Tuesday the Eastern States Trade Lamb Indicator (ESTLI) was reported at 866/kg cwt, up 216¢ year-on-year but back 1% since 1 June.

17 May 2019

A new leucaena variety specifically developed to tolerate psyllid insects while remaining palatable to cattle will be commercially launched this month in north Queensland, marking a significant milestone for beef production in northern Australian.

The commercial release of Redlands leucaena is the culmination of almost 15 years of research and development by researchers at the University of Queensland, funded by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA).

02 May 2019

Combined, Australia and New Zealand pushed a record volume of lamb onto the export market in the first quarter. Despite the increase in supply pressure and poor seasonal conditions, prices in both countries have remained robust thanks to strong global demand.

Lamb exports from Australia’s principal competitor, New Zealand, recorded a strong start to the year. However, Beef + Lamb NZ estimated the 2018-19 lamb crop to decline slightly, to 23.7 million head, so high export levels may reflect dryer-than-normal conditions in New Zealand and fewer lambs being held back as replacements.

04 April 2019

A desire to ease the effects of poor climatic conditions and improve total soil health is what drove beef producer Alexander Nixon’s Nuffield Scholarship research.

Alexander runs an 8,500ha cattle and cropping operation at Drillham, near Roma, Queensland. As the third generation on the farm, and with a young family of his own, he was motivated to find solutions to maximise the health of his soil and rebuild it for future generations.

28 March 2019

Despite elevated supply, mutton prices managed to reach a 2019 high this week.

For the week ending 26 March, the eastern states saleyard mutton indicator averaged 435¢/kg carcase weight (cwt), an increase of 9% on the previous week, but down 1% year-on-year.

01 March 2019

You may have heard the word ‘sustainability’ used in the news, general media or day-to-day conversation. As a red meat producer, you would be aware that retailers, restaurants and other customers are increasingly requesting information on the Australian beef industry’s sustainability credentials.

Here Friday Feedback talks to MLA’s Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Lisa Sharp, about how industry plans to tackle this challenge and how producers can get involved.

14 February 2019

2018 was a year of records, with Australian sheepmeat export values reaching new highs and beef export values to Japan surpassing $2 billion for the first time since 2008. Here we look at all the key figures.

Cattle

25 January 2019

Following the launch of the Aussie Farms online interactive map earlier this week, Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), in partnership with the red meat industry and National Farmers Federation (NFF), is providing information and advice to red meat producers.

This includes background information about the website, what actions they should consider taking now and what to do if they encounter trespassers on their property.