7218.0.55.001 - Livestock and Meat, Australia - Electronic Publication, May 2003  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 04/07/2003   
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MAY KEY POINTS


TREND ESTIMATES

  • In May 2003, the trend estimate for cattle slaughterings fell for the sixth consecutive month, to 640,400 due mainly to good rains, particularly in Victoria. Producers held off selling cattle where possible and the rains encouraged restocker competition.
  • The trend estimate for sheep slaughterings fell for the eighth consecutive month, to 834,400 due mainly to the cumulative effect of last year's drought conditions which had seen the flock size fall. The May 2003 trend estimate was the lowest monthly figure recorded since November 1984.
  • Mutton production fell for the eighth consecutive month, to 16,400 tonnes; this was the lowest monthly figure recorded since April 1984.


MAY KEY FIGURES

Seasonally
Trend
LIVESTOCK SLAUGHTERED
Original
adjusted
estimate
'000
'000
'000
Cattle
720.5
637.4
640.4
Calves
88.3
91.9
110.9
Sheep
817.4
825.9
834.4
Lambs
1,445.6
1,407.0
1,423.2
Pigs
530.8
486.1
484.5
Seasonally
Trend
MEAT PRODUCED
Original
adjusted
estimate
tonnes
tonnes
tonnes
Beef
177,641
158,024
158,839
Veal
2,960
2,811
3,676
Mutton
15,774
16,346
16,396
Lamb
28,900
27,611
28,369
Pig meat
39,721
35,784
35,766


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.