Livestock Products, Australia methodology

Statistics for livestock slaughtering, meat produced and gross value of livestock slaughtered have been compiled from quarterly returns supplied by commercial slaughtering establishments and abattoirs. Many on-farm and small producers are excluded from the collection; however, the statistics represent a high level of coverage.

Cattle slaughtered and meat produced in Northern Territory are included in Queensland slaughter statistics due to limited activity undertaken in the Northern Territory.

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

These statistics relate to slaughtering for human consumption and do not include animals condemned, slaughtered for pet food or those killed for boiling down.

Statistics for chicken slaughtering, chicken meat produced and gross value of poultry slaughtered have been compiled from quarterly returns supplied by commercial poultry slaughtering establishments and comprise broilers, fryers and roasters.

Many small producers are excluded from the collection; however, the statistics represent a high level of coverage.

Australian totals for poultry exclude Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory due to limited activity undertaken in those territories.

Chicken meat is shown in dressed weight of whole birds, pieces and giblets.

Poultry statistics relate to slaughtering for human consumption and do not include animals condemned, slaughtered for pet food or those killed for boiling down.

The results of these studies are based, in part, on Australian Business Register (ABR) data supplied by the ABR Registrar to the ABS under A New Tax System (Australian Business Number) Act 1999 which requires that such data is only used for the purpose of carrying out functions of the ABS. Any discussion of data limitations or weaknesses is in the context of using the data for statistical purposes, and is not related to the ability of the data to support the ABR’s core operational requirements. 

Legislative requirements to ensure privacy and secrecy of this data have been followed. Results have been released in accordance with the Census and Statistics Act 1905 and the Census and Statistics Determination 2018.

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.

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).

The state component series have been seasonally adjusted independently. Therefore, the adjusted components may not add to the Australian group totals.

For further information, see Time Series Analysis Frequently Asked Questions

The seasonal time series in this publication (Livestock Products, Australia) use the concurrent seasonal adjustment method up to and including June 2020 quarter. This means that seasonal factors were re-estimated each quarter, taking 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.

If not appropriately accounted for, unusual real-world events, such as COVID-19, can distort estimates calculated using this method. In such instances, a forward factor method may be employed.

From the September 2020 quarter, seasonal factors were calculated using a forward factor method to ensure estimates are not distorted by COVID-19 impacts. From the September 2020 quarter to the June 2021 quarter, seasonal factors were calculated using data up to and including the June 2020 quarter, then projected from the September 2020 quarter onwards. From the September 2021 quarter, seasonal factors are being calculated using data up to and including the June 2021 quarter, then projected from the September 2021 quarter onwards. This method was also used from the September 2022 quarter, seasonal factors being calculated using data up to and including the June 2022 quarter, then projected from the September 2022 quarter onwards until the June 2023 quarter.

From the September 2023 quarter, seasonal factors are again calculated using concurrent seasonal adjustment method. Because of this there are some small revisions in the seasonal factors. 

For more information about the updates to seasonal adjustment methods across ABS' economic statistics during the COVID-19 period, please refer to the ABS release: Methods changes during the COVID-19 period

Trend estimates for livestock slaughter and meat production have been suspended from this publication from the March 2020 quarter, with all other trend estimates in this publication suspended from the June 2020 quarter.

The trend series attempt to measure underlying changes in livestock and poultry production. In the short term, this measurement may be affected by changes to regular patterns arising from COVID-19 restrictions, as well as changes in overall environmental conditions. If trend estimates were to be calculated without fully accounting for this irregular event, they would likely provide a misleading view of underlying production activity.

Trend estimates will be reinstated when more certainty emerges in the underlying trend series and can be accurately produced.

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

Data is revised each quarter as more accurate information becomes available. Most survey respondents are able to report all data requested directly from company records, but in some cases not all information is available at the time of request. As more accurate information becomes available previously published original series statistics will be revised.

Where figures have been rounded, discrepancies may occur between sums of the component items and totals.

Unless otherwise indicated, Australian totals include data for all states/territories.

Other ABS publications containing livestock data include:

• Livestock and Meat, Australia.
• Agricultural Commodities, Australia.
• Value of Agricultural Commodities Produced, Australia.
• Australian Agriculture: Livestock
• International Trade in Goods and Services, Australia

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.

For inquiries about these and related statistics, contact the Customer Assistance Service via the ABS website Contact Us page. The ABS Privacy Policy outlines how the ABS will handle any personal information that you provide to us.

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.

In maintaining the integrity of statistics and the efficiency of the data collection over time, changes have been made to the input surveys from which statistics in this publication have been compiled. Listed below are key changes to the Livestock Slaughtering, Poultry and Game Birds Slaughtering, and Wool Receivals, Purchases and Sales collections to be considered in comparing data over time.