Production Increases As More Cattle Slaughtered
AUSTRALIA - Australian beef and veal production during August increased six per cent year-on-year, boosted by a surge in Queensland adult cattle slaughter, as record August heat and deteriorating seasonal conditions saw producers increase turnoff.
8 October 2009
2 minute read
Production for August reached 186,256 tonnes cwt, with a 17 per cent year-on-year rise in Queensland offsetting falls in New South Wales (NSW), Victoria, Western Australia and Tasmania (Australian Bureau of Statistics).
The deteriorating season throughout southern Queensland during August contributed to a 16 per cent jump in total adult cattle slaughter, as processors benefitted from reduced competition from restockers and feeders. Adding to the large year-on-year rise was the reduced cattle slaughter recorded in August last year, as transport issues restricted cattle movements during the first week of the month. While male and female slaughter in Queensland for August were up 15 per cent and 20 per cent, respectively, on the same period last year, compared with the five-year average, they were up only 1 per cent and 7 per cent, respectively.
Average rainfall across much of Victoria tightened cattle turnoff in August, with total adult slaughter falling 13 per cent year-on-year, with male and female numbers back 14 per cent and 12 per cent, respectively. After a rapid start to the year, boosted by drought and weak conditions for the dairy sector, female cattle turnoff has now declined for the past four months. A very wet August had total adult cattle slaughter in Tasmania down 19 per cent year-on-year.
NSW cattle slaughter during August declined three per cent year-on-year, with female and male numbers tightening four per cent and two per cent, respectively.
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