Growing carcase weights for male and female cattle

Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) recently released quarterly statistics on livestock slaughtered and meat production. The figures provide insights into beef and sheepmeat industries, including their ‘health’ (particularly carcase weights).

Cattle

Long-term genetic improvements continue to provide substantial productivity gains in both the national flock and herd. There has been an increase of 25% in carcase weights over the past 30 years, equating to around 1% carcase weight increase each year.

In the first quarter of 2024, cattle slaughter eased by 2% to reach 1,811,300 head. An easing in slaughter has lifted adult cattle carcase weights to 315kg. Male cattle carcase weights reached 345kg, and female cattle carcase weights reached 280kg.

In the third quarter of 2023, male cattle carcase weights peaked at 351kg, after the strongest rebuild seen in 2020–2022. Queensland male cattle carcase weights are 5% above the national average reaching 378kg. This figure correlates to the large number of feedlots, resulting in heavier turn-off weights regardless of breed. This is despite Brahmans making up 40% of the northern herd. Victorian carcase weights are 10% below the national average at 320kg in 2024, coinciding with a large number of grassfed cattle and dairy cattle.

There has been an increase in female cattle carcase weights by 4%, reaching 280kg. This figure is trending above the long-term average, as more heifers are being turned off at a heavier weight. Female carcase weights reached a peak in the third quarter of 2022 reaching close to 290kg

Victorian female cattle carcase weights are 6% above the national average at 298kg, showcasing the long-term investment into cow genetics combined with a prominent dairy cattle herd in Australia. While there is less variance in the female cattle carcase weight, an upward trend indicates the strides in genetic investment that have occurred in the cow population.