Australia-Beef production up 4%.

Monday livestock summary

Australian beef and veal production increased 4% during February, as increased turnoff from both Queensland and Victoria boosted slaughter levels. In Queensland, the favourable seasonal conditions over the past year contributed to a surge in heavy steers for slaughter, while in contrast, drought throughout Victoria saw a 9% increase in female turnoff for the month.

While female cattle turnoff out of Queensland in February remained steady on the same month last year, male turnoff surged 10%, as ample supply of heavy steers boosted production.

The continuation of the drought across Victoria and the liquidation of dairy cattle resulted in female cattle turnoff in Victoria jumping 9% year-on-year. The liquidation of female cattle has been consistent, with monthly Victorian female cattle slaughter up year-on-year.

In NSW, adult cattle slaughter was up 3% year-on-year, as a 12% jump in female turnoff, largely out of drought affected southern regions, and was partially offset by a 6% decline in male numbers.

Australian lamb production during February increased 4% year-on-year which is the first significant year-on-year rise since April 2008 (Australian Bureau of Statistics). Lamb slaughter during the month rose 6%. The higher lamb slaughter was due to strong demand in the US and Middle East and higher saleyard and over-the-hooks lamb prices enticing producers to market their lambs.

Also contributing to the higher production during the month were tight sheep supplies across southern states which saw additional lambs move through plants to keep chains running at full capacity.

Although lamb production increased in NSW, Victoria and South Australia due to the higher slaughter, it was curbed somewhat by lower average carcase weights as producers sold lambs at lighter weights to capitalise on high prices, while the dry conditions across the southern regions were also a factor.

Lamb production in NSW increased 11%, while it rose in SA by 6%. Lamb production in WA during February lifted 4% year-on-year. The increase was due to a 4% rise in lamb slaughter (to 218,000 head) as carcase weights remained unchanged at 20.3kg/head.