How much red meat did your state produce?

Queensland

Queensland is the only state that has no indication of drought on the Northern Australia Climate Program's Australian Combined Drought Monitor, reflecting its generally positive climate position.

Cattle turn-off in the state eased from the prior three quarters to 897,000 head to produce 297,000 tonnes of beef. This is a strong figure despite a quarterly decline in turn-off, common for Q1. With conditions supporting growth, these numbers reflect a peak in production rather than a liquidation, as female slaughter rates remain below long-term averages. Average carcase weights across the state lifted 7kg to 331kg thanks to further growth and reliance on feedlots.

Numbers through Queensland are expected to remain strong as cattle continue to be transported north for both grain and grass backgrounding and finishing.

Sheepmeat production remained on trend, with lamb production up to 466 tonnes from 21,000 head and mutton eased slightly as producers retained ewes after rainfall.

NSW

Conditions across NSW have varied dramatically in 2025. Northern NSW has benefited from the residual rainfall from significant events in southern Queensland; however, extremely dry conditions have impacted southern producers and will continue to as the dry line rises higher across the state.

First quarter data showed elevated slaughter for both cattle and sheep. The northern regions' improved production capacity has been paired with dry-driven turn-off in the south, lifting slaughter numbers to their highest since 2015 at 495,000. Feedlot utilisation and a small dip in female turn-off rates have driven carcase weights up to 305kg, which has led to a more impressive production record of 151,000 tonnes of beef, the largest volume since 1979.

NSW saw the strongest lift in lamb slaughter, up 27% to 1.5 million head to produce 38,000 tonnes of lamb. Lambs were turned off later, thanks to hefty mutton throughput in 2024 taking processor space, which boosted first quarter numbers. The average carcase weight lifted 25.6kg, which increased production to 38,000 tonnes. Mutton throughput came back slightly to allow the lamb to flow through, through high prices and dry conditions kept the quarterly turnoff above 1 million, while a 2kg decline in weights pushed back production to 29,000 tonnes.

Trading across the state supported the dry-impacted regions in the first quarter. As dry conditions continue to climb, we may see turn-off lift in the second quarter.

Victoria

Victoria continued to be impacted by dry conditions, which impacted turn-off. In Q1, the state faced records in both sheep and cattle.  

Cattle slaughter lifted to 517,000 head, the highest throughput since 1979, producing 152,000 tonnes of beef. Reliance on feedlots to finish stock lifted; however, carcase weights dipped to 294kg largely due to female slaughter. Female slaughter rates across the state were the highest on record at 69.7%. Despite the large dairy influence on female turn-off, these figures reflect destocking. 

Lamb slaughter hit all-time highs at 3.8 million head turned off over the quarter for 92,000 tonnes, meaning the state made up 56% of all lamb turnoff and 55% of production. Processor demand for trade and heavy stock, where dry conditions limited supply, has encouraged feeding to finish stock, lifting carcase weights to 23.9kg. Mutton slaughter came back 23%, though it stayed above 1 million head producing 23,000 tonnes.  

SA

SA has been impacted by drought and dry conditions, facing little relief for the past 18 months. Lamb turn-off has come back slightly from 2023–24 due to a reduced lamb cohort from the sustained dry; however, it remains high on averages. Cattle turn-off has now lifted as the dry conditions have persisted. 

Cattle slaughter lifted to the state’s highest throughput since 2017 at 88,000 head. Despite female slaughter rates lifting above long-term averages, dry conditions have increased reliance on feedlots to finish cattle, which has meant more cattle on feed as producers continue to liquidate. Average carcase weights were the third heaviest on record, at 318kg, leading to a strong 28,000 tonne production.  

Lamb slaughter lifted back up as the 2024 cohort flows through to processors. A strong total of 677,000 lambs were processed for 18,000 tonnes of lamb. Mutton slaughter came back to 211,000 head for a 5,000-tonne production. Similar to neighbouring states, the reduction was expected after a significant push of mutton late in 2024.  

As SA enters its second year of dry conditions, the availability of lamb in the second half of 2025 will be constrained, as will the sector’s ability to rebuild stock numbers when conditions finally improve. 

WA

Early in 2025, WA saw some relief from prolonged dry conditions, which buoyed industry confidence. Producers were able to hold onto stock to make weights, resulting in lifted average carcase weights across species and reduced throughput. 

Cattle turn-off eased to 115,000 head, producing 34,000 tonnes of beef. This reduction was mainly due to improved conditions. Traditionally, the March quarter faces lower throughput as it is a seasonal sector. Increased turn-off from feedlots led to a 5kg lift in average carcase weights to 293kg despite female slaughter staying relatively high.  

Lamb slaughter eased to 710,000 head, though a 2kg lift in average carcase weights to 23.2kg saw an overall lift in lamb production to 16,000 tonnes. This lift points to grainfed stock but could also indicate more meat breeds being turned off across the state. Mutton slaughter, production, and carcase weights eased to 624,000 head, 16,0000 tonnes and 24.9kg. Due to more positive conditions coming through, producers held on to breeding stock, dropping turn-off. 

Tasmania

Tasmania continued to face dry conditions, with producers continuing to manage feed by destocking. Cattle slaughter lifted back above 60,000 head, though higher female turn-off dipped carcase weights to an average of 291kg.   

Lamb slaughter lifted significantly to 135,000 head, the highest throughput since 2017, alongside production of just under 3,000 tonnes. Mutton slaughter and production lifted to volumes not seen since 2016 and 2014, respectively, with 78,000 head of sheep processed for just under 2,000 tonnes of mutton produced.