September 9, 2009

Australian beef and veal production in July was up one percent on-year, due to a slight increase in female slaughter rates and higher carcass weights.

Production for the month totalled 191,646 tonnes cwt, with an increase in Queensland and South Australia nearly offset by declines in New South Wales, Victoria, West Australia and Tasmania, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Both male and female cattle slaughter in Queensland increased year-on-year during July, as deteriorating conditions saw turnoff rates increase, combined with a relatively low slaughter rate during June. While total Queensland adult cattle slaughter jumped five percent on-year, male numbers jumped three percent and female eight percent, with average adult carcass weights up one percent to 293kg/head.

Reflecting tighter turnoff rates during early July and some reduction in processor operating days, adult cattle slaughter numbers in New South Wales slipped one percent on-year, while Victorian numbers declined nine percent.

Monthly female cattle slaughter in Victoria has now declined year-on-year for three consecutive months, reflecting the improvement in seasonal conditions across south western regions of the state.

For the first seven months of 2009, Australian beef and veal production was down one percent on-year from the same period last year, at 1.25 million tonnes cwt.