March 6, 2024

Australia's cattle slaughter hit seven million head last year

Australia's red meat industry has delivered another record production year for beef and lamb in 2023, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The country's cattle slaughter tipped seven million head last year, a 20% increase from 2022. Beef production was up 18% year-on-year to 2,210,954 tonnes. Market information manager Stephen Bignell said this was because of a large national herd and processors handling the increase.

"The last quarter also showed a female slaughter ratio (FSR) of 46.87%, bringing the annual FSR average to 46.58%," he said.

"A FSR rate of below 47% indicates that the Australian cattle herd is in a marginal growth phase following two consecutive destocking periods as shown in the middle of 2022."

- Countryman