It's all doom and gloom in Australia as the drought continues to have a knock-on effect across the industry. Prices have fallen by as much as 27 per cent in some areas compared to last year. Abattoirs are still reducing working shifts due to the low supply, and the high AU$ is doing little favours for the export markets. The only hope of a pick up in Japanese demand was scuppered this week as Japan announced that imports of Australian beef have fallen 21 per cent compared to last years figures.

The US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) have been busy promoting US beef, increasing Japanese demand for the product. In the calendar year to August, beef imports into Japan from the US were up 28 per cent on the last year. USMEF still have work to do in Korea, as concerns of mad cow disease restrict demands for US beef into the country, which is now only one third of what it was prior to 2003, when US imports were halted.

Across the US, the use of antibiotics in cattle continues to be a hot topic. Elsewhere in the US, cattle producers are opposing the acquisition of Pilgrim Pride by JBS, concerned that JBS will have too much control over the protein market. This comes as Irish producers have relayed their concerns that price pressure from meat processors is crippling the suckler herd industry.

On a more positive note, beef quality has taken a more dominant role in the markets, with advertising of beef quality programmes in the US and the UK red meat industry launching a new campaign to raise awareness of the health benefits of red meat.

This Week's Feature Articles

Company News

IMV Confirms Leadership in Reproductive Technologies
FRANCE - During the 23^rd edition of the Space show, held in Rennes from 15-18 September, IMV confirmed its position as a leader in reproductive biotechnologies.

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Global Beef Cattle Industry News

   General

 » FMD NEWS: Experts to Meet in Melbourne

   United States

 » Call for Data on Antibiotic Use in Animals
 » Nacogdoches Beef Quality Programme
 » In The Cattle Markets
 » Angus Juniors Join The Web
 » Weekly US Cattle Outlook: Feed Market Down
 » Special Limousin-Influenced Feeder-Calf Sales
 » Cattle Group Objects to JBS Acquisition of Pilgrim's
 » Weekly US Cattle Outlook
 » Official Recognition of Progress in Feed Analysis
 » EPA Told Changes to RFS Could Affect Ag Prices
 » Threats of TB Spreading In Indiana
 » US Beef Struggling In Korean Market
 » Iowa Quality Beef Producers Award
 » Manure Management Conference Focuses on Change
 » CME: Corn Yields Expected to Reach All New Record
 » Weekly Roberts Report

   Australia

 » Vote on Marketing Investment Levy Now
 » FMD Experts to Meet in Melbourne
 » FSANZ Invites Public Comment on Food Law Changes
 » Weekly Australian Cattle Summary
 » The Dust’s Gone, But The Cattle Gloom Continues

   Uganda

 » Kiruhura District Lifts Cattle Trade Ban

   United Kingdom

 » Scottish Census Reveals Fall in Cow Numbers
 » New Web Site Promotes Red Meat for Good Health
 » Dungannon Venue For NI Beef Expo 2010

   Taiwan

 » Taiwan Set on Purchasing US Corn and DDGS

   European Union

 » New Pesticide Rules At Odds With Global Needs
 » EU Highlight Importance of Science and Innovation

   Ireland

 » Suckler Farmers Hit by Price Pressure

   Malaysia

 » Protests Outside Selangor Government

   Japan

 » US Beef Making Inroads In Japan
 » Japan's Beef Imports Decline In August

That's all for this week!

Ed.