7218.0.55.001 - Livestock and Meat, Australia - Electronic Publication, Dec 2007 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 04/02/2008   
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DECEMBER KEY POINTS

LIVESTOCK SLAUGHTERED

  • The trend estimate for cattle slaughterings remained steady at 670,000 and was 5.8% lower than the same time last year.
  • The trend estimate for sheep slaughterings increased for the sixth consecutive month, to 998,000. This was the highest figure since March 2007.
  • The trend estimate for lamb slaughterings increased for the eighth consecutive month, to 1.9 million. This was the highest figure since records began in July 1979. Continuing strong lamb turn-off may have been influenced by expected strong prices following good rain.
MEAT PRODUCTION
  • The trend estimate for beef production remained steady at 179,000 tonnes, down 6.4% on December 2006.
  • The trend estimate for mutton production increased for the sixth consecutive month, to 22,300 tonnes. This was the highest figure since February 2007.
  • The trend estimate for lamb meat production increased for the eighth consecutive month, to 40,000 tonnes. This was the highest figure since records began in July 1979.

DECEMBER KEY FIGURES

Seasonally
Trend
LIVESTOCK SLAUGHTERED
Original
adjusted
estimate
'000
'000
'000
Cattle
526.9
665.2
670.0
Calves
22.8
62.6
68.0
Sheep
986.2
984.8
997.9
Lambs
1 625.2
1 821.7
1 862.1
Pigs
444.6
439.4
445.2
Seasonally
Trend
MEAT PRODUCED
Original
tonnes
adjusted
tonnes
estimate
tonnes
Beef
141 227
177 830
178 648
Veal
1 143
2 059
2 248
Mutton
22 067
21 962
22 310
Lamb
34 392
38 770
40 008
Pig meat
31 221
32 348
32 482

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).


FORTHCOMING ISSUES

The January 2008 issue of this data is due for release on 5 March 2008.

For more information about these and related statistics, contact Nigel Gibson on Hobart (03) 6222 5940, or the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070.