This publication presents quarterly statistics on livestock and poultry slaughterings, meat production, gross value of slaughterings and the receivals of taxable wool by brokers and dealers.
Also presented are limited quarterly and annual data relating to red meat production.
Statistics for livestock slaughterings, meat produced and gross value of livestock slaughtered have been compiled from quarterly returns supplied by commercial slaughtering establishments and abattoirs. Many on-farm and small producers are excluded from the collection; however, the statistics represent a high level of coverage.
Cattle slaughtered and meat produced in Northern Territory are included in Queensland slaughter statistics due to limited activity undertaken in the Northern Territory.
Red meat produced is shown in carcass weight and excludes offal.
These statistics relate to slaughterings for human consumption and do not include animals condemned, slaughtered for pet food or those killed for boiling down.
Statistics for chicken slaughterings, chicken meat produced and gross value of poultry slaughtered have been compiled from quarterly returns supplied by commercial poultry slaughtering establishments and comprise broilers, fryers and roasters.
Many small producers are excluded from the collection; however, the statistics represent a high level of coverage.
Australian totals for poultry exclude Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory due to limited activity undertaken in those territories.
Chicken meat is shown in dressed weight of whole birds, pieces and giblets.
Poultry statistics relate to slaughterings for human consumption and do not include animals condemned, slaughtered for pet food or those killed for boiling down.
Wool receivals refer to the amount of taxable wool received by brokers and purchased by dealers from wool producers. It excludes wool received by brokers on which tax has already been paid by other dealers (private buyers) or brokers.
Data are based on the state in which wool has been received, and do not necessarily reflect the production of wool in that state.
Seasonal adjustment is a means of removing the estimated effects of normal seasonal variation from the series so that the effects of other influences can be more clearly recognised.
In the seasonal adjustment of the livestock estimates, account has been taken of both normal seasonal factors and ‘trading day’ effects, where significant. Seasonal adjustment does not remove from the series the effect of irregular influences (e.g. abnormal weather, industrial disputes).
The state component series have been seasonally adjusted independently. Therefore, the adjusted components may not add to the Australian group totals.
For further information, see Time Series Analysis Frequently Asked Questions
The seasonal time series in this publication (Livestock Products, Australia) use the concurrent seasonal adjustment method up to and including June 2020 quarter. This means that seasonal factors were re-estimated each quarter, taking account of the latest available original estimates. This method improves the estimation of seasonal factors and, therefore, the seasonally adjusted and trend estimates for the current and previous months.
If not appropriately accounted for, unusual real-world events, such as COVID-19, can distort estimates calculated using this method. In such instances, a forward factor method may be employed.
From the September 2020 quarter, seasonal factors have been calculated using a forward factor method to ensure estimates are not distorted by COVID-19 impacts. From the September 2020 quarter to the June 2021 quarter, seasonal factors were calculated using data up to and including the June 2020 quarter, then projected from the September 2020 quarter onwards. From the September 2021 quarter, seasonal factors are being calculated using data up to and including the June 2021 quarter, then projected from the September 2021 quarter onwards.
When the concurrent seasonal adjustment method is reinstated, there may be revisions to seasonal series.
For more information about the updates to seasonal adjustment methods across ABS' economic statistics during the COVID-19 period, please refer to the ABS release: Methods changes during the COVID-19 period
Trend estimates for livestock slaughter and meat production have been suspended from this publication from the March 2020 quarter, with all other trend estimates in this publication suspended from the June 2020 quarter.
The trend series attempt to measure underlying changes in livestock, poultry and wool production. In the short term, this measurement may be affected by changes to regular patterns arising from COVID-19 restrictions, as well as changes in overall environmental conditions. If trend estimates were to be calculated without fully accounting for this irregular event, they would likely provide a misleading view of underlying production activity.
Trend estimates will be reinstated when more certainty emerges in the underlying trend series and can be accurately produced.
Revisions to previously published original series statistics are included in the publication as they occur.
Data are revised each quarter as more accurate information becomes available. Most survey respondents are able to report all data requested directly from company records, but in some cases not all information is available at the time of request. As more accurate information becomes available previously published original series statistics will be revised.
Where figures have been rounded, discrepancies may occur between sums of the component items and totals.
Unless otherwise indicated, Australian totals include data for all states/territories.
Other ABS publications containing livestock data include:
Current publications and other products released by the ABS are listed under the Statistics page on the ABS website. The ABS also issues a daily Release Advice on the website which details products to be released in the week ahead.
As well as the statistics included in this and related publications, the ABS may have other livestock products data available on request. Inquiries should be made to the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070.
ABS publications draw extensively on information provided freely by individuals, businesses, governments and other organisations. Their continued cooperation is very much appreciated. Without it, the wide range of statistics published by the ABS would not be available. Information received by the ABS is treated in strict confidence as required by the Census and Statistics Act 1905.
In maintaining the integrity of statistics and the efficiency of the data collection over time, changes have been made to the input surveys from which statistics in this publication have been compiled. Listed below are key changes to the Livestock Slaughtering, Poultry and Game Birds Slaughtering, and Wool Receivals, Purchases and Sales collections to be considered in comparing data over time.
In the month of January 2020, a small number of units in bushfire impacted areas were excluded from collection activities. An adjustment was applied to address the change in coverage; resulting in a small impact on national level estimates. The adjustment applied only to the January month of the March quarter reference period.
A coverage exercise for Wool Receivals, Purchases and Sales collection was undertaken in 2015 to identify any businesses in scope that had not previously been included. This exercise expanded the collection’s coverage from the June 2015 quarter. This change had only a minor impact on estimates and on comparability of data overtime.
From December 2014 quarter, cattle slaughtered and beef produced in the Northern Territory have been included with Queensland figures where applicable due to limited activity undertaken in the Northern Territory.
A coverage exercise to identify additional businesses in scope for the Livestock Slaughtering, Poultry and Game Birds, and Wool Receivals, Purchases and Sales collections was undertaken in 2010. This exercise expanded the coverage for each collection from September quarter 2010.
For the Livestock Slaughtering Collection and Wool Receivals, Purchases and Sales Collection, the impact of this expanded coverage on the timeseries was negligible.
For the Poultry and Game Birds Collection, the expanded coverage resulted in a time series break for poultry and game bird estimates which prevents meaningful comparisons between the data for June quarter 2010 and subsequent quarters.
Improved methods of producing seasonally adjusted estimates, focused on the application of Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) modelling techniques, were implemented. The ARIMA modelling technique can be used to extend original estimates beyond the end of a time series.
For further information on ARIMA modelling, see the feature article '
Use of ARIMA modelling to reduce revisions' in Australian Economic Indicators, Oct 2004