MARCH KEY POINTS
LIVESTOCK SLAUGHTERED
- The trend estimate for cattle slaughterings fell for the sixth consecutive month, to 626,000. This was 8.5% lower than the same time in the previous year.
- The trend estimate for sheep slaughterings increased for the ninth consecutive month to 990,000, and was 5.5% lower that the same time last year.
- The trend estimate for lamb slaughterings fell for the fifth consecutive month, to 1.6 million, and was 3.8% lower that the same time last year.
MEAT PRODUCTION
- The trend estimate for beef production fell for the sixth consecutive month, to 171,000 tonnes. This was 7.0% lower than the same time in the previous year.
- The trend estimate for mutton production was unchanged from the previous month, at 22,000 tonnes.
- The trend estimate for lamb meat production fell for the fifth consecutive month to 34,000 tonnes, and was little changed on the same time last year.
MARCH KEY FIGURES
|
 |  | Seasonally | Trend |
LIVESTOCK SLAUGHTERED | Original | adjusted | estimate |
 | '000 | '000 | '000 |
|
Cattle | 652.2 | 648.1 | 625.7 |
Calves | 41.5 | 63.7 | 61.4 |
Sheep | 1,051.3 | 1,017.4 | 989.8 |
Lambs | 1,527.5 | 1,605.8 | 1,644.4 |
Pigs | 435.4 | 429.7 | 430.3 |
|
 |  | Seasonally | Trend |
MEAT PRODUCED | Original | adjusted | estimate |
 | tonnes | tonnes | tonnes |
|
Beef | 178,130 | 177,441 | 170,584 |
Veal | 1,526 | 1,965 | 1,928 |
Mutton | 22,278 | 22,396 | 21,839 |
Lamb | 32,060 | 33,322 | 34,414 |
Pig meat | 31,222 | 31,740 | 31,709 |
|
NOTES
INTRODUCTION
This publication presents statistics on livestock slaughterings and meat production. These statistics are based on a monthly collection from abattoirs and other major slaughtering establishments. More detailed information on this series can be obtained by contacting the ABS or by referring to the quarterly ABS publication
Livestock Products, Australia (cat. no. 7215.0).
FORTHCOMING ISSUES
The April 2008 issue of this data is due for release on 2 June 2008.
For more information about these and related statistics, contact Nigel Gibson on Hobart (03) 6222 5940, or the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070
.