7218.0.55.001 - Livestock and Meat, Australia - Electronic Publication, Feb 2003  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 03/04/2003   
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FEBRUARY KEY POINTS


TREND ESTIMATES

  • In February 2003, the trend estimate for cattle slaughterings fell for the third consecutive month to 690,300 due mainly to seasonal factors and widespread rains across eastern and central Australia. This follows a ten month long period of increases in 2002 when drought conditions in the second half of the year led to a forced sell off of cattle.
  • Mutton production fell for the fifth consecutive month, to 22,600 tonnes. This was the lowest monthly figure recorded since April 1989.


FEBRUARY KEY FIGURES

Seasonally
Trend
LIVESTOCK SLAUGHTERED
Original
adjusted
estimate
'000
'000
'000
Cattle
661.2
670.4
690.3
Calves
44.4
108.4
105.9
Sheep
1,302.2
1,168.4
1,166.5
Lambs
1,460.3
1,542.5
1,510.5
Pigs
462.8
490.5
488.8
Seasonally
Trend
MEAT PRODUCED
Original
adjusted
estimate
tonnes
tonnes
tonnes
Beef
165,391
166,297
172,155
Veal
2,649
4,038
3,580
Mutton
24,993
22,767
22,643
Lamb
28,906
30,072
29,654
Pig meat
34,049
36,641
36,015


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.