Painting somewhat of a bright picture of the future of the international beef market, Ms Lord informed producers the Asian region is experiencing a population increase of 23 million people per year - and if there were a general increase in consumption of just 100 grams of beef per person per year, the Australian beef industry would boom.
In respect to the North American beef industry, she said the region was in the grips of a severe drought and countries like Mexico and the US were having to slaughter much of the herds, including the breeding sector.
This, she said, would work in Australia's favour in the near future.
"There are already 11 million cattle on feed in the US and with corn at $4/bushel and raising, their production costs will make imported beef far more attractive," Ms Lord said.
On the European market, Ms Lord said the 20,000-tonne grainfed quota is set to rise to 48,000t. This compares to the 7200t grassfed quota to the Eurozone.
She told graziers to consider HGP-free cattle to take advantage of the 40c/kg more available in that market.
On the issue of the carbon tax, she said the 25,000t carbon limit at Rockhampton meatworks may cause the company to close for a period to keep under that limit.
Ms Lord said she believed the tax would have a major impact on the industry.