7218.0.55.001 - Livestock and Meat, Australia - Electronic Publication, Aug 2003  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 01/10/2003   
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AUGUST KEY POINTS


TREND ESTIMATES

  • The trend estimate for sheep slaughterings fell for the tenth consecutive month, to 666,500. Traditional low supply in winter and lingering effects of drought have combined to place pressure on slaughter numbers. The August 2003 trend estimate was the lowest monthly figure recorded since January 1984.
  • Mutton production fell for the eleventh consecutive month, to 13,600 tonnes. Despite reports of improvements in quality of sheep sent to slaughter, lower numbers continue to result in lower mutton production. The August 2003 trend estimate was also the lowest monthly figure recorded since January 1984.
  • The trend estimate for cattle slaughterings fell for the ninth consecutive month, to 623,800. Slaughtering numbers were influenced by parts of NSW and Victoria receiving their best falls of rain since the drought began in early 2002.


AUGUST KEY FIGURES

Seasonally
Trend
LIVESTOCK SLAUGHTERED
Original
adjusted
estimate
'000
'000
'000
Cattle
616.3
614.1
623.8
Calves
185.6
79.0
79.4
Sheep
600.5
672.9
666.5
Lambs
1,071.5
1,211.7
1,234.0
Pigs
454.3
470.4
482.9
Seasonally
Trend
MEAT PRODUCED
Original
adjusted
estimate
tonnes
tonnes
tonnes
Beef
154,778
153,791
155,977
Veal
4,584
2,644
2,589
Mutton
12,624
13,845
13,625
Lamb
21,255
24,202
24,487
Pig meat
33,516
34,442
35,367


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.