Red meat production remains strong as beef herd enters destock in Australia

The Australian Bureau of Statistics has reported record levels for Australian red meat production in the September 2024 quarter, with a 6% increase to 690,694 tonnes. This is the highest quarterly beef production on record, driven by a mature herd leading to older cows being slaughtered. Despite a slight decrease, lamb slaughter and production were still among the top five on record. Mutton slaughter also saw an increase, reaching the highest Q3 figure since 2006.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released the September 2024 quarter slaughter and production volumes and value data, with the data showing that Australian red meat production remains strong. This article breaks down key national figures and covers each state’s key headlines on the previous quarter. National – beef The national beef herd is destocking. Female slaughter is currently 52% of total processing, remaining above 47% for consecutive years, indicating the national herd is in decline. The nature of this destock is that the herd has reached maturity following a three to four year rebuild. Older breeding cows continue to be turned off rather than a climate-driven destock, which would cause young heifers to be processed. National beef production grew to new records, lifting 6% to 690,694 tonnes. This is the largest volume of beef produced in a three-month period on record. National slaughter remained elevated, though did not break records. Slaughter lifted 5% on the ...