7218.0.55.001 - Livestock and Meat, Australia - Electronic Publication, Apr 2003  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 02/06/2003   
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APRIL KEY POINTS


TREND ESTIMATES

  • In April 2003, the trend estimate for cattle slaughterings fell for the fifth consecutive month, to 652,900 due mainly to the shorter weeks associated with Easter and Anzac Day. As well, good rains in some drought regions of south eastern Australia provided a boost to cattle markets and encouraged some producers to begin re-stocking.
  • The trend estimate for sheep slaughterings fell for the seventh consecutive month, to 922,900 due mainly to the cumulative effect of last year's drought conditions which had seen the flock size fall. Farmers in eastern Australia are purchasing breeding ewes to rebuild their flocks. The April 2003 trend estimate was the lowest monthly figure recorded since July 1988.
  • Mutton production fell for the seventh consecutive month, to 18,100 tonnes; this was also the lowest monthly figure recorded since July 1988.


APRIL KEY FIGURES

Seasonally
Trend
LIVESTOCK SLAUGHTERED
Original
adjusted
estimate
'000
'000
'000
Cattle
647.0
665.0
652.9
Calves
75.8
111.8
121.7
Sheep
827.0
868.0
922.9
Lambs
1,399.9
1,396.0
1,462.2
Pigs
475.8
484.4
483.6
Seasonally
Trend
MEAT PRODUCED
Original
adjusted
estimate
tonnes
tonnes
tonnes
Beef
158,989
163,854
162,526
Veal
2,853
3,340
4,236
Mutton
15,697
16,875
18,117
Lamb
27,884
28,061
29,288
Pig meat
35,266
35,477
35,934


NOTES


INTRODUCTION

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. More detailed information on this series can be obtained by contacting the ABS or by referring to the quarterly ABS publication Livestock Products, Australia (cat. no. 7215.0).

For more information about these and related statistics, contact John Moody on Hobart 03 6222 5867, or the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070.