EXPLANATORY NOTES
INTRODUCTION
1 This publication presents statistics on livestock slaughterings and meat production. These statistics are based on a monthly collection from abattoirs and other major slaughtering establishments and include estimates of animals slaughtered by country butchers and other small slaughtering establishments. More detailed information on this series can be obtained by referring to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) quarterly publication, Livestock Products, Australia (cat. no. 7215.0).
2 From July 2010, on-farm slaughter was no longer included in estimates of livestock slaughterings or meat production. Historical data back to July 2007 were revised for all series. Calf and pig definitions were also aligned to current industry standards.
3 In October 2010, a coverage exercise was undertaken to refresh the sample frame used in the Livestock Slaughtered collection. The coverage exercise also enabled review of the constant factor applied to monthly slaughter and meat production estimates to account for the activities of small abattoirs. Together these activities serve to ensure the ongoing quality of estimates produced from this collection.
4 From October 2010, estimates of livestock slaughter and meat production included in this and the related publication, Livestock Products, Australia (cat. no. 7215.0) reflect sample frame revisions and updates to the constant arising from the coverage exercise.
5 These changes have had only a minor impact on estimates and on comparability of data over time.
6 Further information on the October 2010 coverage exercise and related impacts can be obtained by contacting the Rural Environment and Agriculture Statistics Branch on (03) 6222 5939.
7 Red meat is shown in carcass weight and excludes offal.
8 Care should be taken when using this information as the figures only relate to slaughterings for human consumption and do not include animals condemned, slaughtered for pet food or those killed for boiling down.
9 The figures in this publication have been rounded. As a result, discrepancies may occur between sums of the component items and totals.
SEASONAL ADJUSTMENT
10 Seasonal adjustment is a means of removing the estimated effects of normal seasonal variation from the series so that the effects of other influences can be more clearly recognised.
11 In the seasonal adjustment of the livestock estimates, account has been taken of both normal seasonal factors and ‘trading day’ effects, where significant. Seasonal adjustment does not remove from the series the effect of irregular influences (e.g. abnormal weather, industrial disputes).
12 In this publication, the seasonally adjusted estimates are produced by the concurrent seasonal adjustment method which takes account of the latest available original estimates. This method improves the estimation of seasonal factors and, therefore, the seasonally adjusted and trend estimates for the current and previous months. As a result of this improvement, revisions to the seasonally adjusted and trend estimates will be observed for recent periods. A more detailed review is conducted annually.
13 For further information, see Time Series Analysis Frequently Asked Questions, 2003 (cat. no. 1346.0.55.002).
14 From September 2007, improved methods of producing seasonally adjusted estimates were implemented, focused on the application of Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) modelling techniques. The ARIMA modelling technique can be used to extend original estimates beyond the end of a time series.
15 For further information on ARIMA modelling, see the feature article 'Use of ARIMA modelling to reduce revisions' in Australian Economic Indicators, Oct 2004 (cat. no. 1350.0).
TREND ESTIMATES
16 A trend estimate is obtained by reducing the irregular component from the seasonally adjusted series. For monthly data, trend estimates are derived by applying a 13-term Henderson moving average to the seasonally adjusted series. Revisions of trend estimates will occur with revisions to the original data and re-estimation of seasonal factors.
17 As for the seasonally adjusted state components, the state component trend estimates have been produced independently and therefore may not add up to the Australian group totals.
18 For further information, see Information Paper: A Guide to Interpreting Time Series - Monitoring Trends, 2003 (cat. no. 1349.0).
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
19 Current publications and other products released by the ABS are listed under the Statistics and Topics @ a Glance pages on the ABS website. The ABS also issues a daily Release Advice on the website which details products to be released in the week ahead.
20 Other ABS publications containing livestock data include:
GENERAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT
21 ABS publications draw extensively on information provided freely by individuals, businesses, governments and other organisations. Their continued cooperation is very much appreciated. Without it, the wide range of statistics published by the ABS would not be available. Information received by the ABS is treated in strict confidence as required by the
Census and Statistics Act 1905.
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