September 7, 2023

Australia's adult cattle slaughter reaches 39-month high

Australia's rates of national adult cattle slaughter hit a 39-month high last week, reaching 127,377 head.

National Livestock Reporting Service data released showed that last week's national tally (week 36) was 34,700 head or 37% higher than the same week last year, and 26% higher than the same week in 2021.

The weekly NLRS report does not account for an estimated 12-15% of kill activity where processor operators choose not to contribute data.

Queensland showed a sharp rise in production last week, lifting to a season-high tally of 67,829 head, rising 11% on throughput seen only two weeks earlier, and 18,400 head or 37% higher than this week last year.

Female slaughter percentage in Queensland was at 37.9% – again above the 37% 'tipping point' between herd contraction and expansion.

New South Wales kills last week were more or less unchanged from the two weeks before, at 31,523 head, while Victoria recorded its second largest kill this year at 15,572 head.

- Beef Central