@HertzAUCar much more reliable and able to be contacted at the last minute. Won’t be using @SixtAustralia again.

When booking rental cars don’t use @SixtAustralia particularly when travelling to rural destinations as they cancel reservations at the last minute and leave you stranded.

My work here is done.

US red meat production softened in September. Beef output fell 6pc year-on-year as cattle slaughter dropped 7pc, despite heavier average liveweights. Pork was down 3pc and lamb & mutton 5pc, leaving total commercial red meat production 4pc lower than a year ago.

That’s somewhat promising

Are Australian cattle prices really becoming more volatile, or are bigger swings just a reflection of higher prices? We crunched 73 years of inflation-adjusted EYCI data. Volatility has jumped since 2020, but we're still below the peaks of the late 1970s.

Are Australian trade lamb prices really becoming more volatile? I've analysed 73 years of inflation-adjusted prices and found that volatility has increased only modestly since 2020. In fact, current volatility is well below historical peaks. A very different story to cattle.

Are Australian Heavy Steer prices becoming more volatile? I've analysed 73 years of inflation-adjusted prices. Volatility has jumped 41pc since the 2010s, with big monthly price swings becoming more common. But we're still well below the 1970s extremes.

Currently on tour across the eastern seaboard and Perth during October and November. See below for venues. acmagrirsvp.com.au

Are Australian mutton prices becoming more volatile? Here are 73 years of inflation-adjusted prices. Mutton volatility has increased 29pc since the 2010s, but remains well below the extreme levels of the 1980s and 1990s. Big price swings aren't new; they used to be more common.

73 years of inflation-adjusted volatility across EYCI, Heavy Steer, trade lamb and mutton. Mutton remains the most volatile market, but cattle volatility has risen the most since 2020. EYCI is up 61pc, Heavy Steer 41pc, mutton 29pc and trade lamb 11pc.

Imported pork has been close to 50% of Australia’s available pork for some time now.

Australian sheepmeat exports improved in September, reaching 36,193 tonnes. That was still 6pc below last year and 13pc below the five-year average. China rebounded strongly, up 20pc year-on-year, while US demand remained weak at 41pc below last year.

Australian beef exports remained historically strong in September at 132,146 tonnes. That was 5pc below last year, but still 32pc above the five-year average. The US remains the engine room, Japan is strengthening, while safeguard tariffs continue to weigh on China & Korea.