LIVESTOCK agents worry they may take a hit if they accept JBS Australia's new trading terms.

JBS has told suppliers it will extend its payment terms from seven to 14 days.

Most agencies and processors dealing through saleyards pay producers within seven-to-10 days.

The longer payment terms could put more pressure on stock agents' cash flow, forcing them to run larger overdrafts, exposing them to greater risk.

This comes as JBS Australia faces a "challenging trading environment" due to the high Australian dollar and rising government charges.

Elders national livestock and wool manager Chris Howie said Elders was "not prepared to comment" until the company had discussed the issue.

Rodwells livestock manager Rob Bolton said his business "had not yet determined" if they would accept the terms.

"Not a lot of agents would be pleased by this and there's concern about the knock-on affect," he said.

Landmark south east livestock manager Will Nolan said JBS's move was "a decision they've made that'll help run their business day-to-day".

"We can't control what anyone wants to do with their own company, but we'll obviously maintain our previous payment terms (to producers) and accept their terms," Mr Nolan said.

Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association chief executive officer Andy Madigan said agent's views were mixed and it was up to individuals to decide if they accepted the terms.

JBS Australia spokesman John Berry said the new terms applied to all suppliers because the firm had "diversified into a range of markets involving more risk and volatility".

"It's a challenging environment in many markets ... those are our terms and JBS offers producers a range of market opportunities."

Last week, JBS Australia's parent company, JBS SA, posted a net loss of around $108.2 million for the second quarter. The drop was partly attributed to poor performance in the Australian business.

Mr Berry said international markets were "very challenging to say the least".

"Australia is becoming a very expensive place to process animals from," he said.

Processing costs were double those in Brazil and the US.

Increasing government fees, a 40 per cent rise in AQIS charges and wage pressures made things worse, he said. The carbon tax was also expected to hurt JBS.

"We'll be forced to pay the tax from next July ... we're one of only three meat processors who meet the threshold and have to pay directly," Mr Berry said.