Adult Cattle Weights Set New Record
AUSTRALIA - Australian adult cattle weights reached a record high in September, finishing the month averaging 290kg/head – five per cent above last year and six per cent higher than the five-year average, reports Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA).
10 November 2011
1 minute read
MLA reports that almost every state across the country registered significant weight improvements compared with last year, the only exception 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 (305kg/head) and NSW (284kg/head) reached record highs, with Victoria and Tasmania averaging 264kg/head and 289 kg/head, respectively.
MLA states that total adult slaughter for September was up three per cent on last year, to 620,057 head. Driving the increase was an 18 per cent year-on-year lift (from a low base) in adult slaughter in Queensland, which totalled 315,118 head.
Slaughter was back on last September in NSW (12 per cent), Victoria (11 per cent) and WA (five per cent), while kills were higher in SA (eight per cent) and Tasmania (four per cent).
Australian beef and veal production increased eight per cent year-on-year, to 184,117 tonnes cwt. The biggest gains in production were in Queensland (23 per cent) and SA (14 per cent), while both Victoria (nine per cent) and NSW (eight per cent) recorded declines.
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