Continued contraction for Australia’s herd - leatherbiz: Leading news Leatherbiz

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Continued contraction for Australia’s herd

29/10/2019
Widespread dry conditions have led to an increase in female cattle slaughter, prolonging Australia’s herd liquidation, according to Meat & Livestock Australia.

The female percentage of adult slaughter remains at 54%, keeping the national herd locked in a contraction phase.

MLA senior market analyst Adam Cheetham said the excess turnoff of breeding stock and poor rainfall outlook has resulted in adult cattle slaughter for 2019 being revised higher to 8.4 million head, up 7% on last year.

“Reflecting these higher slaughter levels in the second half of 2019, the national herd forecast for the end of June 2020 has been adjusted lower to 25.5 million head,” Mr Cheetham said.

“A downward trend in adult carcase weights has offset some of the impacts of increased slaughter, despite the number of cattle on feed reaching a new record in the June 2019 quarter, at just below 1.15 million head.

“Beef production has been adjusted higher for the year to reflect the elevated turnoff and is forecast at 2.4 million tonnes carcase weight (cwt), up 4%.

“With finished cattle supplies expected to tighten, and a reduction in the cattle herd and number of calves born from 2017-19, beef production is highly unlikely to exceed 2019 levels over the next two years.”


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