Host Kerry Lonergan and live-trade veteran Patrick Underwood caught up recently to examine the current state of Northern Australia’s live export trade, covering rising Darwin cattle prices driven by tightening supply, currency pressures from a weak rupiah, and Indonesian market controls.

They discuss alternative supplies (Indian buffalo meat), growing interest in buffalo exports, shifts from Brahman to crossbreeding/Wagyu influence, and the mixed prospects for cotton and carbon projects in the north.

The episode also addresses shipping fuel costs, the stability from recent ship ownership changes, the potential of markets like Vietnam, and the urgent need for continued vigilance against diseases such as lumpy skin disease and foot-and-mouth.

Listeners should note that because of Brisbane Ekka podcast commitments, some of the specific live export pricing and activity references in this interview may be a little dated.

Host Kerry Lonergan reports from the Brisbane Exhibition as the International Charolais Congress brings around 120 delegates and nearly 270 Charolais cattle to the ring.

Interviews with Charolais Australia CEO Colin Rex and breeders from Canada, the United States and Europe cover the breed's role as a terminal sire, adaptability to different environments, market demand, rising carcass weights, and advances in genomics and feed efficiency.

The episode highlights global networking, strong bull sales, export markets and how Charolais genetics are shaping crossbreeding programs worldwide.

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Join Kerry Lotting as he interviews Terry Nolan of Nolan’s Meats about his family’s beginnings in a Gympie butcher shop and how hard work, relationships and bold decisions built a major processing business.

Terry  was guest speaker at the Queensland Rural Press Club's annual Ekka breakfast in Brisbane this morning - a gathering of more than 800 stakeholders.

Terry and his family are close to finalising the sale of their Nolan Meats processing business to Hewitt, making his Brisbane presentation a fitting bookend to the family 70-year contribution to the industry.

He touches on wide ranging topics, ranging from the power of relationships to the value of being involved in industry representation. He shares his views on the likely future direction of lotfeeding in Australia, the lasting legacy left by Meat Standards Australia, the dangers involved in 'group-think' and some of the people who 'made a difference' in developing the modern day Australian beef industry.

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In today's episode, host Kerry Lonergan chats with respected meat processor and industry leader Terry Nolan, who was guest speaker at the Queensland Rural Press Club's annual Ekka breakfast in Brisbane this morning - a gathering of more than 800 stakeholders.

Terry and his family are close to finalising the sale of their Nolan Meats processing business to Hewitt, making his Brisbane presentation a fitting bookend to the family 70-year contribution to the industry.

He touches on wide ranging topics, ranging from the power of relationships to the value of being involved in industry representation. He shares his views on the likely future direction of lotfeeding in Australia, the lasting legacy left by Meat Standards Australia, the dangers involved in 'group-think' and some of the people who 'made a difference' in developing the modern day Australian beef industry.

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In this episode Kerry Lonergan chats with Mike Stevens, principal of Meridian Agriculture and one of Australia’s leading succession planning experts. They discuss why succession planning must start early, why people and family communication come first, and how legal, tax and ownership structures should follow careful family decisions.

Mike shares real-life success and failure stories, common mistakes to avoid, and practical steps for rural families to protect farm viability and fairly manage expectations across generations.

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In today's episode of The Weekly Grill, host Kerry Lonergan chats with regular market experts Chris Howie and Matthew Dalgleish about how current weather patterns — including an emerging El Niño — are affecting feed, regional conditions and livestock supply across Australia.

They review cattle and sheep herd numbers, slaughter trends, meatworks capacity, rising lamb prices, the growth of sheep feedlots, MSA grading and EID technology, and discuss short-term buying strategies... and more

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In this episode Kerry Lonergan interviews Felicity Richards, Chair of FarmSafe Australia, about recent on‑farm fatality statistics, leading causes (quad bikes, side‑by‑sides and tractors), and common contributing factors such as lack of helmets/seatbelts, speed, and unsafe mounting/dismounting.

In the lead up to Farm Safety Week, the conversation covers vulnerable groups (older farmers and young children near water), the role of fatigue and mental health, and prevention strategies including protective gear, operator protection devices, safe procedures and better inductions. Felicity highlights FarmSafe campaigns like “Second Chance” and the new “Set the Standard.”

Listeners are urged to share safety stories, use available toolbox resources, and visit farmsafe.org to find Farm Safety Week events and practical tools to protect families and workers.

Farm Safety Week takes place from 16 to 25 July 2026

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Counting down to LambEx 2026, The Weekly Grill host Kerry Lonergan explores booming lamb prices and the new carcass feedback program adopted at GMP Gundagai. He chats with GMP CEO Will Barton about DEXA scans, MEQ probes, GLQ scoring and producer bonuses for premium outcomes.

Kerry then chats with lamb producer Jenny Bradley as she shares her experiences with the new feedback program and her operation's firsthand results and on‑farm changes.

The episode previews LambEx 2026 and explores how individual carcass data is shaping a more valuable, measurable lamb supply chain.

In today’s episode of The Weekly Grill host Kerry Lonergan is joined by Beef Central's Jon Condon as they dial in AusMeat Chair, Allan Bloxsom, to discuss AusMeat’s new, industry-agreed rules for breed-specific content claims that take affect from July 1.

The conversation covers how the new export trade descriptions will work (e.g., Angus F1, Angus 50, Angus Composite), verification options (phenotype or optional genetic testing), implications for brand managers, producers and consumers, and impacts on existing 75% and 100% programs and more.

This week on The Weekly Grill, host Kerry Lonergan sits down with Simon Irwin, CEO of Beef 2027, to talk about learnings from Beef 2024 and the plans for the next event in Rockhampton; they discuss record attendances, exhibitor demand, and the event's economic impact.

The episode covers major challenges and innovations: accommodation shortages and solutions (Airbnb partnerships, Camplify and caravans), expanded tech and fifth‑quarter showcases, sustainability and emissions work, security and counter‑terrorism measures, and new digital tools like an interactive app.

Also discussed are global interest and networking opportunities, Next Gen and mentoring programs for young ag professionals, the importance of interbreed championships, and why Beef remains central to regional Queensland.

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