Livestock

Prices paid to US agri producers remain well below 2015 numbers despite edging up slightly from February.

The government-owned investment manager has bought a large stake in the 5.8m hectare cattle companies.

Buyers from Australia, Chile, US and New Zealand will not be subject to the FIRB review that derailed the sale to a Chinese-led consortium.

Following Treasurer Scott Morrison's preliminary decision to block the sale, the Chinese bidders have now withdrawn.

The acquisition is part of an expansion effort for the company's genetic testing business for livestock in Brazil.

Australian Treasurer Scott Morrison's preliminary decision is to block the bid, as investors called the review process "badly and unpredictably" managed.

German company Kalle has been passed through four private equity firms' hands.

Founded two years ago to take advantage of beef export opportunities, Verde Beef will grow “tenfold” with new funding, according its latest investor 8 Miles, which is also preparing to raise a second fund.

The Queensland Investment Corporation looks set to fulfil its November mandate to target beef export opportunities in a country where the superannuation industry is often accused of ignoring agriculture.

A 7% increase in pork production offset decreases in all other categories of US red meat production.