The latest livestock products data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that last quarter, Australia had the highest lamb slaughter on record at 6,935,700 head.
The data, analysed by Meat & Livestock Australia, shows the January-March quarter also broke production records for lamb at 167,263 tonnes, up eight per cent on last quarter and 48 per cent last year.
MLA senior market information analyst Erin Lukey said that the higher levels of production and recorded carcase weights are reflective of conditions that occurred towards the end of last year.
“Across the board we saw carcase weights for lamb lift five per cent quarter-to quarter to 24kg, which equates to the five-year average,” Ms Lukey said.
“This return is after the three-year lows recorded last quarter.
“Lamb carcase weights lifted across all states according to the ABS.
“This is partly attributable to the end of season turn-off of older lambs, and improved weather conditions recorded in the latter months of 2023, particularly in NSW and Victoria.”
Victoria had its second highest lamb slaughter on record, only following last quarter’s record.
It also had its highest lamb production for the second year in a row, while NSW recorded an 18 per cent increase in slaughter and 25 per cent jump in production.
Western Australia also had its second highest lamb production quarter on record, as well as its second highest quarter for slaughter.
National mutton slaughter was also at its highest since December 2019 at 2,784,000 head.
However, carcase weights on average across the country fell five per cent to 24.9kg, with the biggest drop felt in Western Australia where weights eased nine per cent to 24.5kg.
The value of sheepmeat slaughtered increased 41 per cent quarter-to quarter to $1.257 billion, which was the largest since December 2021.
This equates to $129 /head per animal, which was the largest since Q2 2023.
Cattle slaughter down slightly
For cattle, national slaughter fell two per cent quarter-to-quarter to 1,811,300 head, but this is still up 17 per cent on Q1 last year.
Beef production shifted down slightly by one per cent but was still up 20 per cent on last year at 570,681 tonnes, while carcase weights increased from 313kg to 315kg.
South Australia was the only state where slaughter and production increased, at two per cent and four per cent respectively.
Western Australia saw an eight per cent dip in slaughter rates and a five per cent decline in production, likely due to drier conditions in the state.
According to Ms Lukey, female slaughter rate (FSR) is now 47.05 per cent, which is a slight lift on the previous quarter.
“This means that the 12-month rolling average FSR is now 47.7 per cent, which is above the industry benchmark signalling a destock,” she said.
“However, the industry is not officially in a destock as we have not had two consecutive quarters above 47 per cent.
“If the FSR remains elevated into next quarter, we can reassess whether the herd is in liquidation.”