Further analysis of Australia’s cattle slaughter in 2022 has revealed that the percentage of cows in the total was the lowest it has been since 1996 and the fifth lowest since records began.

Promotional body Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) has quoted a figure of 5.8 million head for the total slaughter last year. It now emerges that 42.8% of the total were female.

MLA said this was in keeping with its projection that Australia’s cattle herd is set to grow to its highest level since 2014. It said: “This figure recognises that 2022 was the most intense year of retention of females on-farm in 26 years. The outlook [is] for a stronger cattle supply and the largest herd since the 1970s in 2025.”

Share this story: