Summary
A total of 72 feedlots responded to the questionnaire, with a reported total capacity of 275,170 head, and an annual turnoff of 575,502 head. This compares to only 27 respondents to the 1991 survey with a total capacity of 224,520 head and turnoff of 430,715 head. Sixteen respondents were from New South Wales, 47 from Queensland, 3 each from South Australia and Victoria, 2 from Western Australia and 1 from Tasmania. A comparison of the key results for the two surveys is shown in the table below. Fifty-eight respondents (81%) had a capacity of less than 5,000 head, 3 (4%) were between 5,000 and 10,000 and 8 (11%) were more than 10,000 head, while 3 respondents (4%) did not report their capacity. In the 1991 survey there were 8 large, 5 medium and 10 small feedlots. Thus, the current survey has a far greater representation of small feed lots, providing a significant source of potential bias in these results, particularly when comparisons are made with the previous survey.
Individual feedlot capacity ranged from 40 to 35,000 head, with an average of 3,988, compared to 9,300 in 1991. Reported turnoff during the preceding 12 months ranged from 0 (4 feedlots) to 68,737, and averaged 8,854, compared to 19,300 jn 1991. Average capacity and turnoff per feed lot were substantially lower than in 1991, mainly dLie to the increased number of smaller feedlots in the current survey. About 64% (weighted average) of all cattle delivered to respondent feedlots were delivered direct, compared to 41 % in 1991, and 33% received 30% or less of their cattle by direct consignment, compared to 44% in 1991. Thus there appears to have been an increase in the proportion of cattle delivered direct to the feed lot, and also an increase in the proportion of feed lots where the majority of cattle are delivered direct. The average distance travelled by cattle entering feedlots has dropped by about 100km since 1991, from 397 km to 296 km, largely due to the increased number of smaller feedlots responding, with associated shorter distances for these feed lots. No association was found between the distance travelled or the percentage of cattle delivered direct to the feed lot and the morbidity or mortality rates on the feed lot.
