Beef and veal production was up across all states with the exception of WA and the NT. Production in Queensland increased 9%, to 104,983 tonnes cwt, the highest November level on record. Production in NSW and Victoria rose 15% and 21%, to 44,468 and 35,753 tonnes, respectively.

The rise in production for the month was driven by increased slaughter rates, with national adult cattle slaughter up 14% on year ago levels, to 777,000 head, and calf slaughter up 37%, to 57,000 head. Adult female cattle slaughter was up a notable 22%, to 341,000 head, while male cattle slaughter was up 8%, to 436,000 head.

Beef and veal production for the 11 months to November 2006 totalled a record 2.03 million tonnes cwt, 5% above the same period in 2005. Most of the increase in production was in Queensland, which experienced a 7% rise to a record 1.04 million tonnes cwt. Production in NSW and Victoria was also higher, up 6% and 2%, respectively, to 418,251 and 330,511 tonnes cwt. In contrast, production in WA was 10% lower, at 105,156 tonnes cwt.

In the 11 months to November, average carcase weights were a record 271kg/head, slightly higher than the same period last year. Adult cattle slaughter was up 4%, to 7.41 million head, with a 6% increase in female cattle slaughter, to 3.32 million head. Male cattle slaughter was up 2%, to 4.08 million head. Calf slaughter was also up, rising 5%, to 838,000 head. Among the states, adult cattle slaughter increased the most in Queensland and NSW, rising 6% on year ago levels, to 3.60 million head (highest on record) and 1.56 million head, respectively.

TheCattleSite News Desk