Monday, November 6, 2023
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Monday, October 9, 2023
Thursday, October 5, 2023
Monday, September 25, 2023
Monday, September 18, 2023
Monday, September 11, 2023
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
Updated New Zealand beef and dairy production.
Tuesday, August 29, 2023
Thursday, August 24, 2023
Monday, August 14, 2023
Tuesday, August 1, 2023
Monday, July 24, 2023
Monday, July 17, 2023
Friday, June 30, 2023
Worst meat packaging - standout terrible product that should be scrapped
2022 brought back some familiar foes but we also found some new offenders. The top 5 worst culprits of 2022 were:
5 – Pre-packaged sealed trays – This was a debut entry on our list, commonly used for food products such as meat and seafood. These trays are almost impossible to open by hand and many consumers have to ask loved ones to open them or resort to creative opening methods. Participants said they used tools such as knives to open the “stubborn” packaging. Even after cutting open these trays with knives or scissors the packaging still presents a hazard as the cut edge is sharp.
Dangerous to open with cutting knives and other implements. High risk and should be banned. Retailers and their suppliers must do better and remove these dreaded packages from the market.
Thursday, June 29, 2023
USA Cattle Prices Continue To Climb
Demand for limited supplies of feeder cattle remains strong. Feedlots are looking to fill their feedyards to take advantage of lower feed costs and the prospects for higher fed cattle prices, while recent rains have improved the drought situation in a few areas, likely creating some demand for cattle to go on grass.
In May, the weighted-average price for feeder steers weighing 750–800 pounds at the Oklahoma City National Stockyards was $205.53 per hundredweight (cwt). This was a $7 increase from April and nearly $52 higher than May 2022.
In the first week of June, prices jumped $20 from 2 weeks prior to $228.98 per cwt. For reference, the highest recorded weekly price for feeder steers was $243.58 per cwt in October 2014. Accounting for the recent strength in prices and improved opportunities to put calves on pasture, the second-quarter forecast price for feeder steers is raised $5 to $209 per cwt. The third quarter is raised $10 to $224 per cwt, and fourth quarter is raised $6 to $226 per cwt. The 2024 forecast is raised $6 to $227 per cwt.
https://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/pub-details/?pubid=106747
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
High Australian food inflation with rises in all essential household goods and services.
"The main contributor to this increase was Meals out and takeaway food which increased from 7.3 per cent in April to 7.7 per cent in May, as higher costs of ingredients, rents, utilities, and wages were passed on," Ms Marquardt said.
Price rises for Food products not elsewhere classified (+11.5 per cent), Bread and cereal products (+12.8 per cent), and Dairy and related products (+15.1 per cent) were also significant contributors to the increase.
https://www.abs.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/monthly-cpi-indicator-annual-rise-56-may-2023
Monday, June 26, 2023
Monday, June 19, 2023
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Monday, June 5, 2023
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
Monday, May 22, 2023
Saturday, May 20, 2023
ABS Value of cattle slaughtered Australia March 2023
This is a fall of 13% .
https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/industry/agriculture/livestock-products-australia/latest-release#data-downloads December 2022 was the peak value in the series collected since December quarter 2019 when the value was $3.306 billion AUD.
Monday, May 15, 2023
Another word on Telstra mobile coverage
https://www.telstra.com.au/coverage-networks/our-coverage
as Telstra says: Australia’s Largest Mobile Network
Vast slabs of Australian regional areas have limited or no coverage. It is a third world service.
Sunday, May 14, 2023
How bad is Telstra?
Here is the Telstra map today.
Years and years of promises and inept government and maladministration, even forgetting the expensive watch fiasco.
so much talk of alternative energy and if brains were gunpowder, we could not blow our beach hats off.
Unless we have a ruthless government and about 20% of the public servants on huge salaries, we are going to fall flat on our face.
Friday, May 12, 2023
JBS Q1 2023 results
As we pointed out last quarter, this period faced high input costs, persistent inflation, and supply and demand imbalances, in addition to being a traditionally weaker period for the global protein industry All necessary actions to reduce the impact of these circumstances have been taken."
The consolidated group reported a loss of Brazilian $R of 1,429,501.
Thursday, May 11, 2023
Big protein USA - Tyson results
"While the current protein market is challenging, we have a strong growth strategy in place and are bullish on our long-term outlook,” said Donnie King, president and CEO of Tyson Foods. “We saw strong performance in our branded foods business and continue to be laser-focused on meeting customer needs and planning the future with them.”
“Through our growth strategy, focus on margin improvement, and proven leadership team, I am confident in our ability to capture the opportunities in front of us and create long-term value for customers, team members, and shareholders.”
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
NZ UK free trade agreement.
The UK Parliament has ratified the FTA and the agreement will come into force on May 31.
“New Zealand exporters and farmers are looking forward to tariff free access into the UK, something we haven’t enjoyed since Britain joined the European Economic Community (EEC) in 1973,” says Sirma Karapeeva, chief executive of the Meat Industry Association (MIA).
“This FTA is a high quality agreement that provides the red meat sector with greater access to a key market for New Zealand beef and lamb. “It really opens up an opportunity for New Zealand’s beef exports in a traditional market, and creates new avenues for growth for the red meat sector. “The agreement will also allow closer co-operation between the NZ and UK red meat sectors and strengthen the ties between the two countries.”
Sam McIvor, chief executive of Beef + Lamb New Zealand, says the FTA is good news for sheep and beef farmers, rural communities and the New Zealand economy. “Not only will this FTA support the sector to unlock further value in this important market, but it will further strengthen New Zealand’s already diverse export base. “But we know that the UK market is very competitive with Australia also gaining greater access so we will have to work hard to realise our ambitions and seize the opportunities on offer.” New Zealand’s free range, pasture-raised product is seasonal so complements the UK’s northern hemisphere production, says Mr McIvor.
“Both New Zealand and the UK also share a commitment to high production standards, especially in food safety and quality, animal welfare and the environment.” The New Zealand Meat Board will be responsible for administering the FTA quotas for beef and sheepmeat in line with the robust system already in place for administering the existing World Trade Organization (WTO) quotas for red meat.
“Over the past 12 months, the New Zealand Meat Board has been working alongside our red meat sector partners planning for this milestone and all the systems are ready to go,” says NZMB General Manager Quota and Information Nick Beeby. https://www.nzmeatboard.org/news-updates/nz-uk-free-trade-agreement-ratification-great-news-for-red-meat-sector/
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
Lazy journalism
I am no fan of live animal exports but understand there are certain countries and trades that require the product. It appears live sheep exports will be phased out by current Federal Government.
However the story that appeared in the media today related to Indonesian incidents in 2021.
It seems to be drawing a long bow to be running a story again of that period simply because it suits certain animal export activism to promote their organisation and raise more funds.
Australia now has an independent regulator.
https://www.iglae.gov.au/current-reviews
Inspector-General of Live Animal Exports is the entity.
Monday, May 8, 2023
ABARES report
What Asia Wants: Long-term agrifood demand in Asia - 2023 Revision
Overview In 2050, Asia is projected to have 5.3 billion consumers, representing 55% of the world’s population.
This presents opportunities for Australian agricultural exporters through the benefits of a large consumer base with diverse preferences.
This research report identifies export market growth opportunities in Australia’s nearby region, contributing to an information base to support agricultural exporters’ diversification, while also helping policymakers to identify priorities for market access.
I am all for ABARES writing reports but they need a serious scholar included in the writing team.
I have spent over 30 years in practical work and analysis of the markets. Academic analysis will not do the job.
Australian farm subsidies ABARES report
Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences analysis of government support for farmers shows Australians rate among the least subsidised in the world.
It is well worth reading this report published in 2020 by ABARES.
https://daff.ent.sirsidynix.net.au/client/en_AU/search/asset/1030322/0
According to ABARES, unlike Australia, other barley producers around the world enjoyed government support equivalent to an average six per cent of their farm revenues.
The ABARES analysis confirms findings in a recent report by the Australian Farm Institute and GrainGrowers which highlighted Australia having about the lowest levels of agricultural support across the 37 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) member countries.
Friday, May 5, 2023
Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (AUK-FTA) – Entry into Force Announcement
AMIC Processor Group Circular No: 26-23 Subject: Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (AUK-FTA) – Entry into Force Announcement Dear AMIC Exporters, AMIC is pleased to see the announcement that the Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (AUK-FTA) is expected to enter into force at midnight on 31 May 2023.
The department (DAFF) will provide the management and administration of quotas under the new FTA under the Export Control Rules 2021. Please see the table below for information about the quotas for beef and sheepmeat.
For further information on the A UK FTA, refer to the announcement from the Minister for trade and Tourism, Senator the Hon Don Farrell, and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) website.
Export product Commodity codes Volume access Volume access year 1 (pro-rata) – TBC by UK Quota year Quota Administration Beef meat 0201, 0202, 0206.10.95, 0206.29.91, 0210.20, 0210.99.51, 0210.99.59, 1602.50, 1602.90.61, 1602.90.69 Increases from 35,000T to 110,000 over 10 years. 20,616T 1 Jan-31 Dec Split allocation and first-come, first-served basis. Sheep meat 0201.10, 0204.2100, 0204.22, 0204.2300, 0204.3000, 0204.4100, 0204.42, 0504.43, 0210.99.21, 0210.99.29, 1602.90.91 Increases from 25,000T to 75,000 over 10 years. (safeguard provision from years 11 to 15) 14,726T 1 Jan-31 Dec Allocated.
The below is an update DAFF have provided to AMIC regarding next steps and communication channels. What’s Next The department will work on the following over the coming weeks: The pro-rata volume access for year 1 is detailed in the above table, please note the UK is yet to confirm these figures therefore they may change slightly. If there are any updates , DAFF will update the department’s website. The department will work with the exporters to calculate their allocated quota for year 1 and how they can apply. If you currently have a shipment on the water and would like to change your quota from WTO to AUK FTA, email quota.admin@agriculture.gov.au. Billy Davies Market Access Officer
Burns Centre Level 2, 28 National Circuit, Forrest ACT 2603 M: 0448 447 625 W: www.amic.org.au E: bdavies@amic.org.au
Monday, May 1, 2023
Wednesday, April 26, 2023
Fools in charge
Price reviews reflecting higher wholesale gas prices led to rises in gas and other household fuels, with rises seen across all eight capital cities and the strongest rise recorded in Melbourne (+22.7 per cent). "This quarter's rise was notable as prices increased in all eight capital cities, whereas typically only Melbourne's prices are reviewed in the March quarter," said Ms Marquardt. Higher prices reflected major events over the past year including the ongoing war in Ukraine and unplanned outages at coal fired power stations.
https://www.abs.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/cpi-rose-14-cent-march-2023-quarter
it is high time to stop blaming skirmishes in Eastern Europe for matters that were generated by bad governments around the globe.
Friday, April 21, 2023
Profit and return on investment missing
sick of hearing about sustainability
Farmers and producers need to be profitable and receive a reward for their stewardship of the land and a return on investment.
all this talk of obligations for the community should be balanced with profitable production and a return on assets and for hard work
"Red meat’s sustainability in the spotlight"
"The sustainability success story of Australia’s red meat industry is taking centre stage ahead of Earth Day 2023. Tune into this webinar recording to find out more from our two expert speakers."
MLA needs to be on producers side and if they do not pick a side they should get out of the industry and leave it to producers.
.
Thursday, April 20, 2023
Population headache
We are seeing infrastructure under pressure and quality of life deteriorating. Bad planning and the poor are getting poorer with rampant inflation and living costs.
It aint good
ACCC publishes preliminary findings paper for the Regional Mobile Infrastructure Inquiry
The ACCC has today published a preliminary findings paper following stakeholder engagement for the Regional Mobile Infrastructure Inquiry.
The ACCC is now seeking feedback from interested stakeholders on these preliminary findings, before the more comprehensive final report is prepared for the Minister.
The due date for submissions is Tuesday, 16 May 2023.
Monday, April 17, 2023
Saturday, April 15, 2023
Friday, April 14, 2023
Australia, free trade agreements
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
Thursday, April 6, 2023
Northern wet season to date rainfall totals for Australia
Tuesday, April 4, 2023
Beef consumption in Brazil drops to lowest level in 18 years, says Itaú
The data are from the Agro Consultancy of Itaú BBA. Consumer beef prices started to rise in 2020, which made many Brazilians take protein off their plate. The increase in poverty and the drop in income during the pandemic also impacted the reduction in consumption. The value of meat, in general, rose 18% in 2020, but slowed down in 2021 (+7%) and 2022 (+1.84%), according to data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). Until February of this year, the price of protein accumulates a drop of 1.68%. Despite the lower consumption, the production of refrigerators grew again last year. In total, 29.8 million head were slaughtered in Brazil, an increase of 7.5% compared to 2021. It was the first increase in production since 2019. The increase was driven by the return of female slaughter.
Monday, April 3, 2023
CSIRO research. Net protein contribution
“Cattle are efficient upcyclers of grass and other feedstuffs not just in terms of the quality of protein they create. They contribute a greater amount of protein to our food system than is used in their production as well,” Dr Thomas said.
https://www.csiro.au/en/news/News-releases/2021/CSIRO-sets-beef-benchmark-for-protein-production
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1751731121002354?via%3Dihub
Friday, March 31, 2023
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/farmers-protest-party-set-shake-up-dutch-political-landscape-2023-03-15/
An interesting perspective by a Dutch academic on the “Nitrogen Crisis ór Delusional Expertocracy and the Destruction of Dutch Agriculture” | Jaap C. Hanekamp
Thursday, March 30, 2023
Australian consumers being duped by well known bank and identity scams
Friday, March 24, 2023
Meat processing jobs. Seek.
USDA report. Commercial Red Meat Production Down 4 Percent from Last Year
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Fuss, funds, idiocy and the new religion
Someone please put the lid on "green washing"
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
Sydney comes in second last on the affordability index.
Monday, March 20, 2023
Sunday, March 19, 2023
A word I am thoroughly sick of "Activist"
Dutch farmers' protest party scores big election win, shaking up Senate
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Updates from Brazil
Total beef exports in February (including all fresh and processed meats) reached US$ 695.2 million and 152.28 thousand tons, which meant a drop of 29% in foreign currency and 16% in volume, compared to February 2022, of US$ 974.3 million and 181,727 tons, respectively. The drop, however, only partially reflects the suspension of exports to China, the results of which may be more visible in March.
https://www.abrafrigo.com.br/index.php/2023/03/09/clipping-da-abrafrigo-no-1934-de-09-de-marco-de-2023/
USDA FAS China
Monday, March 6, 2023
Thursday, March 2, 2023
China economy update
http://en.people.cn/n3/2023/0301/c90000-10214146.html
Highlighting Chinese economy's resilience amid challenges in 2022 (Xinhua) 08:11, March 01, 2023 BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- China braved the economic headwinds and emerged from multiple challenges in 2022 with hard-won feats, according to an official statistical communique published on Tuesday.
After experiencing multiple ups and downs, the country's economy continued to withstand the downward pressures and scored 3-percent growth year on year in 2022, said the communique released on the website of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
In a comment article on the communique, Sheng Laiyun, deputy head of the NBS, said that the steady macroeconomic fundamentals were underpinned by China's enhanced implementation of policies in 2022, when the economy was faced with a turbulent environment abroad and arduous development tasks at home.
ACCC and greenwashing
The cosmetic, clothing and footwear and food and drink sectors were found to have the highest proportion of concerning claims among the industries targeted in the operation. Other sectors examined also had a significant proportion of concerning claims.
"Our sweep indicates a significant proportion of businesses are making vague or unclear environmental claims. This warrants further scrutiny," ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said. "Consumers are now, more than ever, making purchasing decisions on environmental grounds. Unfortunately, it appears that rather than making legitimate changes to their practices and procedures, some businesses are relying on false or misleading claims. This conduct harms not only consumers, but also those businesses taking genuine steps to implement more sustainable practices."
https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/accc-%E2%80%98greenwashing%E2%80%99-internet-sweep-unearths-widespread-concerning-claims
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Largest ever land acquisition for NSW national park estate
NSW western lands
Monday, February 20, 2023
Thursday, February 16, 2023
ABS Livestock Products, Australia
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
Sheep, lamb and goats ID in New South Wales
USDA Livestock Outlook ERS
Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry update
Monday, February 13, 2023
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
Agricultural Commodities, Australia Australian Bureau of Statistics
Monday, February 6, 2023
Brazilian beef export trends
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
Australia - Employee households living costs highest in two decades ABS data
US Cattle Inventory update
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
JBS, largest meat company globally
Monday, January 30, 2023
Thursday, January 26, 2023
Occasional reports. Taiwan lamb mutton import update 2022
Monday, January 23, 2023
Saturday, January 21, 2023
Sheep Discovery Center
Friday, January 20, 2023
‘Wear Wool, Not Fossil Fuel’ Eco campaign update
CHINESE MEAT IMPORTS JAN TO DEC 2022 SUMMARY
