Australia-Beef production.

AUSTRALIA-BEEF PRODUCTION.

-Beef production in Australia , the second-biggest global

exporter after Brazil , fell 1.2% on month in February to a seasonally adjusted

178,027 metric tons, but was up 8.4% from February 2008, the government’s

Bureau of Statistics reported Thursday.

The total number of cattle slaughtered in February, excluding calves, at

659,786 beasts, fell 1.1% on month but rose 8.9% on year, it said.

The bureau doesn’t explain movements in the figures.

Australia exports two-thirds of its beef production to major markets such as

Japan, the U.S. , South Korea and Southeast Asian nations.

The level of exports is closely tied to production.

AUSTRALIAN MEAT PRODUCTION

(seasonally adjusted, metric tons, carcass weight)

Feb 09 Jan 09 Feb 08

Beef 178,027 180,148 164,280

Veal

2,362 2,376 2,027

Mutton 18,936 17,639 21,510

Lamb 36,680 34,983 34,250

Pigmeat 26,863 27,149 31,545

(Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics)