April 13, 2012

Australian beef and veal production slowed down during February, dipping by 5% on-year, to 181,846 tonnes, due to heavy rain and tighter turnoff influencing processor throughput.

Underpinning the national on-year decline in beef and veal production during February was a 10% contraction in Queensland, to 88,316 tonnes. Helping to offset the decline in Queensland for the month was an improvement in production levels in New South Wales (40,364 tonnes) and Victoria (30,527 tonnes), rising 1% and 3% respectively, over the same period.

Total adult cattle slaughter for February declined 4% on-year, to 620,300 head, with female throughput back 1% on the same period last year, to 284,000 head. Heavy rain during the month disrupted cattle supplies, particularly in Queensland, with numerous sales cancelled and processors working on reduced shifts due to the difficulty in sourcing cattle. Subsequently, adult cattle slaughter in Queensland fell 10% on-year over the same period, to 287,800 head.

Adult carcase weights averaged 289 kilogrammes per head during February, steady on last year, but 5% or 13 kilogrammes per head above the five-year average. Queensland adult carcase weights averaged 304 kilogrammes per head during February, steady on the same time last year, with Tasmania (291 kilogrammes per head) recording the largest on-year improvement in carcase weights - up 4%.