Editorial: Australia Still Hit Hard

In Australia, supply of cattle increased significantly pushing up production, as the drought season really starts to impact producers. This surge of supply has done little to help the already low prices.

However, there is a glimmer of hope as Australian live exports to Indonesia are on the increase. With the prospects of three new feedlots to open next year, greater demand is expected which will hopefully push up beef prices.

On top of the market situation, Australian producers are battling against environmental groups, who are discrediting the industry.

In the US markets, beef exports are over a third lower compared last years figures. Earlier in the week, Japan suspended beef shipments from an American meatpacker, after bovine spinal columns (banned under a trade agreement) were found in imported boxes of fresh meats. The beef industry has also further defended itself this week following the recent E.coli scares.

In the UK, the TB eradication group presented their first progress report, which includes increased support for producers with affected herds. Industry leaders however say that measures proposed will not eradicate the disease, and are still calling for a targeted badger cull, which the group say they have not yet ruled out.

In Canada, the threat of TB in Manitoba is forcing down export prices and increasing production costs. Farmers are calling for a cull of the wild elk, which spread the disease.

The Canadian government has involved the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in a dispute with the US over country of origin labelling. Canada argues that the mandatory country-of origin labelling (COOL) law is 'onerous' and affects the competitiveness of Canadian products.

Charlotte Johnston

This Week's Feature Articles

Company News

Bovine Reproduction Congress in Colombia
COLOMBIA - Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health recently organised the Second International Congress of Bovine Reproduction in Bogotá, Colombia.

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Global Beef Cattle Industry News

European Union

 » BLUETONGUE: Govt Funds Bluetongue Vaccine Stocks

United States

 » CME: M-COOL a Legitimate Policy?
 » Weekly Roberts Report
 » In The Cattle Markets
 » New Product to Battle Lepto
 » CME: Output Numbers Will Not Drive Feed Prices
 » CME: Red Meat and Poultry Supplies for 2010 Muddled
 » CME: Current Situation Index in August Down
 » CME: Larger-than-Expected Corn Production Indicated
 » Beef Carcase Merit Programme Offers Important Information
 » Weekly Outlook: Crop Concerns As Demand Pushes Up Prices
 » August Beef Exports Struggle
 » CME: US Beef Export Demand Softened
 » Beef: Safe or Scary?
 » Weekly Roberts Report
 » Corn Stalks For Beef Cattle Grazing
 » Southeast Asian Meat Buyers Meet with US Suppliers

General

 » First Round on Agriculture ‘Templates’ Completed
 » Food Safety Concerns After E.coli Outbreak

Australia

 » Beef Exports to Japan Continue to Fall
 » Production Increases As More Cattle Slaughtered
 » Weekly Australian Cattle Summary
 » Benefit From Indonesia Live Cattle Boom
 » One Call Could Boost Management Goals
 » CPRS Cattle Methane Plan Shunned
 » False Environmental Claims Jeopardise Beef Production
 » Cattle Council Raises Awareness of Beef Industry
 » Australian Cattle Markets See No Improvements

Canada

 » Canada Requests WTO Panel on US M-COOL
 » Threat of TB in Manitoba

United Kingdom

 » Survey Shows I&PS's Are Here To Stay
 » EBLEX Workshop For Beef Farmers
 » Cull Cow Market Increases
 » TB Eradication Group to Provide More Support
 » Scottish Farmers Recommended to Use Bluetongue Vaccine
 » Govt Funds Bluetongue Vaccine Stocks
 » Dairy Beef Market Trends From EBLEX
 » AI Beef Herds For Cost Effective Batch Calving
 » Export Opportunities Continue With Weak Pound
 » NFU Challenges Supermarkets To Work Harder

Viet Nam

 » Deal Opens Door To Viet Nam Cattle Exports

Korea, South

 » Restaurant Defies the Odds by Selling US Steaks

Japan

 » Japan Finds Banned Cattle Parts in US Beef

Germany

 » ANUGA REPORT - Brazil Companies Set to Grow
 » ANUGA REPORT - Scotch Products Given a Boost

Ireland

 » Irish Beef Demand Expected to Grow

That's all for this week!

Ed.