October 12, 2012

Australia's beef production at 2% on-year rise

With rising cattle slaughter in South Australia, Queensland and Victoria, Australia's beef and veal production rises 2% on-year, to 193,604 tonnes during August 2012, the largest August volume since 2006.

A drier winter across many of the key cattle regions of Australia throughout 2012, combined with larger herd numbers, contributed to the increase in slaughter and beef production during August. While total adult slaughter for the month reached 658,000 head, up 2% on-year, female slaughter increased 5% on-year, to 285,000 head. For the first eight months of 2012, adult cattle slaughter was up 0.2% on-year, at 4.8 million head.

After a sustained period of female retention, August's 5% increase in female kills followed another 5% rise in July, possibly indicating that rebuilding intentions have mellowed - which would be expected given the drier 2012. Additionally, indicative weekly slaughter rates for September and early October have been well above year-ago levels, with higher female slaughter expected to be contributing to the increase.

Along with the noted increase in female slaughter, one of the main features of the August result was Queensland cattle slaughter for August reached 336,000 head - up 5% on-year and the highest monthly total since May 2011.

Average adult carcass weights for August declined 0.4% on-year, averaging 287.6 kilogrammes per head, with weight back across all states, with the exception of Western Australia. Queensland adult carcass weights for the month averaged 302.9 kilogrammes per head - down 0.6% on the corresponding month in 2011, but still heavier than the average for the past five years.