September 4, 2006

Record carcase weights offset decrease in Australian cattle slaughter
 

Australian beef and veal production during July rose 2 percent on-year to total 176,000 tonnes despite decreased slaughter levels, according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The rise in production comes even as adult cattle slaughter fell 1 percent lower than year ago levels and calf slaughter fell 5 percent.

Higher carcase weights accounted for the rise in production as more cattle were sent to feedlots and subjected to supplementary feeding. Average adult cattle carcase weights reached a record monthly high of 274.9kg/head in July.

Most of the increase in beef and veal production occurred in NSW and Queensland, where production increased 12 percent and 3 percent, respectively.

Adult cattle slaughter was 10 percent higher in NSW at 123,000 head, while slaughter levels in Queensland held steady at 343,000 head.

Beef production fell 10 percent in both Victoria and West Australia. The fall in Victoria was mainly driven by a 9 percent decline in cattle slaughter.

In West Australia, the 16 percent fall in slaughter was partially offset by 7 percent rise in average cattle carcase weights.