Cattle producers
Here you'll find the information that is most relevant to you as a cattle producer, including the latest market information, what’s going on in Australia’s domestic and export beef markets, new activities and industry programs for improving beef production, MLA beef marketing initiatives, R&D outcomes and new publications.
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Find out the latest information on cattle numbers, exports, consumption, production and value of the Australian beef industry in the beef industry fast facts 2009 (PDF, 308KB) document.
The Australian beef industry is likely to have weathered the worst of the turbulent trading conditions arising from the global economic and financial climate crises. Demand for beef appears to be staging a comeback based on MLA's 2009 Cattle Industry Projections - Mid Year Update.
MLA gave beef producers the opportunity to have their say on the retention of the $5 cattle transaction levy. The independent Beef Marketing Funding Committee was formed to investigate how the funds from the levy have been used and what it means for beef producers. Learn what the findings were and the results of the vote
Record year for MSA beef
Almost one million cattle were graded through the Meat Standards Australia program (MSA) in the 2008-09 financial year, a record for the program since its inception. See the gains MSA is making
Updated MLA Feed Demand Calculator
The MLA Feed Demand Calculator, developed by MLA and the CSIRO as part of the More Beef from Pastures Program, has been updated with a 'pasture averaging' function, allowing for differences in pasture types as well as variances in grazing habits. Find out more and download the Feed Demand Calculator online
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The BeefSpecs calculator is a simple tool to manage your cattle to meet weight and fat specifications.
The calculator assists cattle producers to make more accurate management decisions that could increase carcase compliance rates for fatness and weight targets specific to various beef markets. Find out more about the BeefSpecs calculator
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National Livestock Reporting Service (NLRS) offered by MLA collects market data from the key auction and direct markets across Australia, in addition to slaughter statistics, wholesale, skin and hide prices. MLA members are entitled to 100 free market reports annually.
Find out more about NLRS and the full range of reports available
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Tips & Tools
MLA's Tips & Tools - practical and easy to follow information sheets designed to deliver the outcomes of research and development to livestock producers in an on-farm 'how to' format. Featured Tips & Tools include:
Maximising eating quality with tropical breed cattle (PDF, 138KB)
All breeds of cattle are eligible for the Meat Standards Australia (MSA) program. This fact sheet outlines how on-farm management of genetics, nutrition and weight gain will maximise eating quality of beef from tropical breed cattle and how processors can further improve product by ageing primal cuts for extended periods or using tender stretch hanging techniques.
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Read the latest in MLA's member publications-
feedback (March 2010)
- High A$ puts the pressure on
- DIY preg tests for cows
- Beef in Korea: it's a matter of trust
Prograzier (autumn 2010)
- Production pressures and opportunities
- Driving genetic profit
- Combating calf scours
- Native pastures prove their value
FRONTIER magazine (summer 2009-10)
- Mind phosphorous in the wet
- Prevent summer parasites worming their way into the herd
- Bulking up with summer forage crops
- Getting more even use of country
A guide to best practice husbandry in beef cattle - Branding, castrating
This booklet focuses on best practice techniques for branding, castrating and dehorning in cattle and provides information relating to a number of alternatives for each procedure, including necessary equipment and maintenance, OH&S considerations and animal after-care. Get your free copy today...
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More Beef from Pastures
The More Beef from Pastures program is an innovative information and support program that provides beef producers across southern Australia with practical tools and information to help increase productivity while minimising risk in an ever-changing operating environment. Central to the program is the producer’s manual - a one-stop information package delivering essential processes required to carry out a successful beef business.
Northern beef
MLA has consulted with the northern beef industry in Queensland, Northern Territory, Kimberley regions and Pilbara regions of Western Australia. The program focuses on environmental and grazing management and improving animal and herd productivity.
BeefPlan
BeefPlan is a non-traditional approach to learning. Groups of like-minded beef producers, work together as a management team to focus on property management. Importantly the learning agenda is set and controlled by the group.The approach is unique to northern Australia.
Beef Up forums
We are holding a series of 'Beef Up forums' in Northern Australia this year, designed to help producers make more money from their business. Local producers and industry have worked together to produce a program packed with clear and practical information and tools you can take home and put into practice straight away.
National Vendor Declarations (NVD)s
Producers use the NVD/Waybill to declare valuable information about the food safety status of the livestock being sold. Buyers rely on the NVD/Waybill for accurate information on the livestock purchased and processors rely on the information to ensure only the safest food enters our food chain.
Find out information on MLA's upcoming events
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