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Eastern states cattle slaughter continues to reduce
09 September 2015
After peaking in mid-April, at almost 180,000 head, the number of cattle processed each week has progressively edged lower, and was down to 152,401 head last week.
This marked the 21st week of the eastern states weekly cattle slaughter creeping lower and last week’s figure was 15% below the peak earlier in the year.
While there has been a continuous reduction in the number of cattle processed, last week’s figure remained 11% above the five-year weekly average of 137,709 head.
On a state by state basis, the reduction in cattle processed is varied, with the Queensland figure less significant due to the states feedlot capacity and ongoing drought conditions. Since peaking in mid-April, each state has performed as follows:
- Eastern states down 15%, at 152,401 head
- Queensland down 8%, at 80,014 head
- NSW down 18%, at 36,557 head
- Victoria down 26%, at 24,319 head
- SA down 8% at 9,463 head
Considering the continued rate of reduction, it may be by the end of the year that the weekly kill nears the long-term average.
