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MLA expects slaughter to reach 7.8 million head in 2018

01/08/2018
Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) has revised upwards its cattle slaughter forecast for 2018, citing ongoing drought conditions and a surge in female turn-off.

It now expects 7.8 million head of Australian cattle to be slaughtered this year, which would represent an increase of 9% compared to 2017. 

MLA has said Australian cattle slaughter totalled 3.1 million head in the first five months of 2018, an increase of 11% compared to the same period of last year. This figure is 7% below the five-year average.

MLA’s market intelligence manager, Scott Tolmie, said females have largely driven the year-on-year increase, with a 21% rise in the number of cows and heifers processed. Meanwhile, there has only been a 2% increase in male cattle slaughter. 

With regards to average weights and beef production, he added: “Persistent dry conditions have seen the average national adult carcass weight forecast for the 2018 calendar year revised downwards, to 292kg/head. However, the upwards revision to slaughter more than outweighs the expected drop in carcass weights, with beef production for 2018 now forecast to increase 7% to 2.3 million tonnes carcass weight.”

Related stories:

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New managing director for MLA 15/02/2019
Australia’s cattle herd to drop to 25-year low 31/01/2019
Australia on course for strong year of cattle exports 01/11/2018
Genetics the focus for MLA’s next BeefUp forum 22/08/2018

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