Calling all grassfed beef producers

MLA is calling for grassfed beef producers to complete the Beef Producers Intentions Survey (BPIS) throughout November, in light of recent changes impacting how Australian cattle statistics are presented.

Recently, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released the topline national figures for the 2024 financial year. The figures have traditionally included data on meat and dairy cattle herd population.

However, ABS has decided to modernise agricultural statistics to reduce the burden on producers. Statistics on the sex and age breakdown of Australian cattle herds will no longer be included.

Following these changes to the data collected by the ABS on cattle, as well as an additional announcement that the Rural Environmental & Agricultural Commodities Survey (REACS) will be discontinued, MLA has made the decision to utilise its own survey to provide valuable data to the Australian beef industry.

Why is the BPIS so important?

The BPIS, which is conducted three times a year, is considered an essential tool for industry. It highlights current domestic and international market opportunities and changes, and provides updates on industry-wide changes in the herd.

The November wave of the survey aims to provide an overview on the herd profile, producer sentiment, breed demographics, producer intentions and sales to date.

Previously, this wave of the survey has covered approximately 10% of producers across the country. However, as more producers participate in the survey, the more benefits we will see.

The April wave, which will be the first to take place in 2025, aims to gain visibility on producer decisions regarding spring and autumn calving periods.

As part of the April survey, MLA aims to cover factors that impact producer decision making, including branding percentage, age of spring calving, turn-off weight and actual vs expected sales.

In July, MLA follows up with respondents from the April wave for the PULSE survey. The data collected ranges from the following topics:

• producer intentions over the next 12 months
• planned autumn calf drop
• forecasted sales over the first half of the year (January to June).

Since the survey’s initial launch, it has steadily increased in value thanks to the growing coverage and participation from grassfed cattle producers.

Through taking part in the BPIS, producers will continue to allow for huge increased value and quality of information – improving transparency in the industry.

You can complete the survey here.