Livestock and Meat, Australia methodology

1 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 and include estimates of animals slaughtered by country butchers and other small slaughtering establishments. More detailed information on this series can be obtained by referring to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) quarterly publication, Livestock Products, Australia (cat. no. 7215.0).

2 From July 2010, on-farm slaughter was no longer included in estimates of livestock slaughterings or meat production. Historical data back to July 2007 were revised for all series and calf and pig definitions were aligned to current industry standards. In July 2019 the industry definition for lamb was revised.

3 Coverage is reviewed on a regular basis to ensure all in-scope units are captured on the collection frame. These regular reviews ensure the ongoing quality of estimates produced from this collection.

4 Frame updates resulting from the coverage review process are incorporated as soon as practicable into the estimates of livestock slaughter and meat production included in this and the related publication, Livestock Products, Australia (cat. no. 7215.0).

5 Changes to coverage typically have a minor impact on estimates and on comparability of data over time.

6 For the January 2020 reference period, a small number of units in bushfire impacted areas were excluded from collection activities. An adjustment was applied to address the change in coverage; resulting in a small impact on national level estimates. The adjustment applied to the January 2020 reference period only.

7 Further information on the coverage review process and related impacts can be obtained by contacting the National Information Referral Service on 1300 135 070 (or +61 2 9268 4909 for international callers).

8 Red meat is shown in carcass weight and excludes offal.

9 Care should be taken when using this information as the figures only relate to slaughterings for human consumption and do not include animals condemned, slaughtered for pet food or those killed for boiling down.

10 The figures in this publication have been rounded. As a result, discrepancies may occur between sums of the component items and totals.

11 Seasonal adjustment is a means of removing the estimated effects of normal seasonal variation from the series so that the effects of other influences can be more clearly recognised.

12 In the seasonal adjustment of the livestock estimates, account has been taken of both normal seasonal factors and ‘trading day’ effects, where significant. Seasonal adjustment does not remove from the series the effect of irregular influences (e.g. abnormal weather, industrial disputes).

13 In this publication, the seasonally adjusted estimates are produced by the concurrent seasonal adjustment method which takes account of the latest available original estimates. This method improves the estimation of seasonal factors and, therefore, the seasonally adjusted and trend estimates for the current and previous months. As a result of this improvement, revisions to the seasonally adjusted and trend estimates will be observed for recent periods. A more detailed review is conducted annually.

14 For further information, see Time Series Analysis Frequently Asked Questions (cat. no. 1346.0.55.002).

15 From September 2007, improved methods of producing seasonally adjusted estimates were implemented, focused on the application of Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) modelling techniques. The ARIMA modelling technique can be used to extend original estimates beyond the end of a time series.

16 For further information on ARIMA modelling, see the feature article 'Use of ARIMA modelling to reduce revisions' in Australian Economic Indicators, Oct 2004 (cat. no. 1350.0).

17 A trend estimate is obtained by reducing the irregular component from the seasonally adjusted series. For monthly data, trend estimates are derived by applying a 13-term Henderson moving average to the seasonally adjusted series. Revisions of trend estimates will occur with revisions to the original data and re-estimation of seasonal factors.

18 As for the seasonally adjusted state components, the state component trend estimates have been produced independently and therefore may not add up to the Australian group totals.

19 For further information, see Information Paper: A Guide to Interpreting Time Series - Monitoring Trends. (cat. no. 1349.0).

20 Trend estimates have been suspended from this publication in March 2020. The trend series attempt to measure underlying changes in livestock slaughters and meat produced. In the short term, this measurement may be affected by changes to regular patterns in livestock slaughter and meat production arising from COVID-19 restrictions, as well as changes in overall environmental conditions. Without fully accounting for these factors, trend estimates would likely present a misleading view of underlying changes in slaughters and meat production. The trend estimates will be reinstated when more certainty emerges in the underlying trend series and can be accurately produced. The latest published trend estimates, prior to suspension of the series, are available in Livestock and Meat Australia, Feb 2020 (cat. no. 7218.0.55.001).

21 Revisions to previously published original series statistics are included in the publication as they occur.

22 As a result of the Intensive Follow Up (IFU) process, data are revised each month as final estimates become available. Most respondents are able to report all the data requested directly from company records, but in some cases not all information is available at the time of request, so estimates are provided. When more accurate information becomes available previous published original series statistics will be revised.

23 Current publications and other products released by the ABS are listed under the Statistics page on the ABS website. The ABS also issues a daily Release Advice on the website which details products to be released in the week ahead.

24 Other ABS publications containing livestock data include:

• Agricultural Commodities, Australia (cat. no. 7121.0)
• Livestock Products, Australia (cat. no. 7215.0)
• Value of Agricultural Commodities Produced, Australia (cat. no. 7503.0)
   

25 ABS publications draw extensively on information provided freely by individuals, businesses, governments and other organisations. Their continued cooperation is very much appreciated. Without it, the wide range of statistics published by the ABS would not be available. Information received by the ABS is treated in strict confidence as required by the Census and Statistics Act 1905.