Australia's cattle feedlot industry
Australia's beef cattle feedlot industry is now well established as an important value-adding component of the Australian beef industry.
The growth in this industry has been stimulated by the increasing demand in our major export and domestic markets for consistent quality in our beef products. The industry has particularly grown in recent years in response to the increased demand for Australian grainfed product in Japan and Korea, following the BSE-induced ban on imports of US beef introduced in these countries in December 2003.
Reports
The following reports on the feedlot sector are available from MLA.
To order the reports below or other MLA market information publications:
NLRS feeder cattle report
MLA's NLRS produces a weekly feeder cattle report, which provides the latest rates for sales directly to lotfeeders. Information is sourced from lotfeeders, agents, alliance groups and producers.
Australian Lot Feeders’ Association / MLA quarterly feedlot survey
This survey provides a range of data, such as numbers of cattle on feed, intended destination of these cattle, feedlot capacity, utilisation and turnoff.
MLA produces a quarterly feedlot market brief reporting this information.
Key findings for the September 2006 quarterly survey
- In line with the normal seasonal pattern, national cattle on feed numbers fell 6% over the September quarter from the record reached at the end of June. The 881,281 head on feed, however, was 11% higher than in September 2005 and a record for the September quarter.
- Numbers on feed declined in all states over the September quarter with the exception of SA, where numbers rose 54% to 27,033 head, almost double year ago levels.
- Feedlot numbers fell the most in Queensland (which accounted for 53% of the nation’s cattle on feed) – down 8% (40,180 head) to 466,466 head but 8% higher than year ago levels. Numbers in NSW and WA were 4% (13,282 head) and 29% (11,362 head) lower than in June, respectively, but 13% and 20% higher than last year, at 299,937 and 27,625 head. The 60,220 head on feed in Victoria was 6% (3,520 head) lower than in June but 4% higher than year ago levels.
- National feedlot capacity expanded only marginally over the September quarter, to a record 1.13 million head. Feedlot capacity has grown 25% since the exclusion of the US from key Asian markets in late 2003.
- With the fall in numbers on feed and the slight rise in feedlot capacity, national feedlot utilisation fell from 83% in June 2006 to 78% in September.
- At the end of September, 557,000 cattle on feed were destined for the export market. This represented 63% of the total cattle in feedlots. This number was 3% lower than in June 2006, but 5% higher than in September last year.
- The 288,000 cattle on feed destined for the domestic market was 7% lower than in June, but 17% higher than in September 2005.
- Turn-off over the quarter was a record 723,097 head – 10% above the June quarter and 5% higher than the September quarter 2005.
Other data
A range of other market information relevant to the feedlot sector is also available from MLA, including:
- Australia’s exports of grainfed beef
- Feed grain prices
More information
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