November 11, 2011

Australian adult cattle weights achieve record high

Australian adult cattle weights achieved record high in September, ending the month averaging 290 kilogramme per head -- 5% above last year and 6% higher than the five-year average.

Almost every state across the country registered significant weight improvements compared with last year, the only exception Western Australia (WA), with average carcase weights slightly lower than September last year.

The above average season has continued into the second half of 2012, with most regions receiving good falls throughout winter and into spring, including WA. Average carcase weights in Queensland (QLD) (305 kilogramme per head) and New South Wales (NSW) (284 kilogramme per head) reached record highs, with Victoria and Tasmania averaging 264 kilogramme per head and 289 kilogramme per head, respectively.

Total adult slaughter for September was up 3% on last year, to 620,057 head. Driving the increase was an 18% on-year lift (from a low base) in adult slaughter in QLD, which totalled 315,118 head. Slaughter was back on last September in NSW (12%), Victoria (11%) and WA (5%), while kills were higher in South Australia (SA) (8%) and Tasmania (4%).

Australian beef and veal production increased 8% on-year, to 184,117 tonnes cwt. The biggest gains in production were in QLD (23%) and SA (14%), while both Victoria (9%) and NSW (8%) recorded declines.