Record cattle production: ABS

Cattle production was an Australian record in the June quarter, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The number of cattle slaughtered, excluding calves, was up less than 1 per cent to nearly 2.3 million, the highest level since March 1979.

Adjusting for trend, the ABS says it’s the highest level on record.

Western Australia was down, however, with 94,500 cattle slaughtered during the quarter compared with 99,800 in the three months to March.

The live export industry performed well, with cattle exports up 58 per cent, to 351,000 head.

Of the total live cattle exported, 60 per cent or (211,000) were exported to Indonesia, 10 per cent (33,500) to Vietnam, and 9 per cent (32,000) to the Russian Federation.

The Russian Federation recently imposed sanctions on Australian agriculture businesses, with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade reportedly estimating live exports to that market were worth $55 million in 2013.

WA is a key player in the live cattle export market, last year worth $202 million to the state.

Australian live sheep exports rose by 24 per cent, to 610,000 head, over the period.

The Middle East was a key destination, with 29 per cent (174,000) exported to Qatar, 24 per cent (147,000) to Jordan, and 16 per cent (100,000) to Bahrain.

Pig and chicken production remained steady at 1.2 million and 146 million head respectively, with pig meat production of 89,700 tonnes and chicken at 271,000t.

Lamb production was down less than 1 per cent to 118,000t.