Recently, the Australian Lot Feeders’ Association (ALFA) and Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) published the results of Australia’s third quarter cattle on feed survey. According to the data, as of September 30, 2007, Australia’s cattle on feed numbered 680,519 head. This was down 21.8 percent from the previous quarter and was down 22.8 percent from a year ago due to record high grain prices and a strong Australian dollar. Additionally, this was the lowest total since March 2004.
Queensland contained the majority of Australia’s cattle on feed with 365,372 head, or 53.7 percent of the total. Queensland and New South Wales together had 90.3 percent of the total cattle on feed, which amounted to 614,536 head. Australia’s cattle on feed destined for the domestic market totaled 205,788 head, which was 23.1 percent less than the previous quarter and was 28.5 percent less than a year ago. Cattle destined for the export market equaled 461,719 head, which was down 21.6 percent from the previous quarter and was down 17.2 percent from a year ago.
In the third quarter, Australia’s feedlot capacity equaled a record 1,151,797 head. This was 2.5 percent higher than the previous quarter and was 1.7 percent higher than a year ago. Queensland had the largest feedlot capacity with 564,647 head, accounting for 49.0 percent of the total. Australia’s cattle marketings during the third quarter fell 3.7 percent from the previous quarter to 620,170 head. Additionally, this was down 14.2 percent from a year ago. Australia’s cattle slaughter during the first three quarters of the year totaled 4.96 million head, 2.8 percent more than a year ago. To obtain the complete report, go to the ALFA website at http://www.feedlots.com.au/.
