The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released livestock slaughter and production data for the third quarter of the 2025 calendar year. Australia’s cattle industry continues to set new benchmarks, confirming record beef production for the September quarter.

Results from the ALFA/MLA quarterly feedlot survey indicate cattle on feed at the end of 2015 were up 3% year-on-year, at a record 997,765 head.

Australia’s cattle industry continues to set new benchmarks, with the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures confirming record beef production for the September quarter

Results from the ALFA/MLA quarterly feedlot survey indicate cattle on feed in Queensland continued to grow in the June quarter, up 10% year-on-year, at a little over 528,000 head.

The latest ALFA/MLA quarterly feedlot survey indicated the number of cattle on feed for the March quarter had declined 5% year-on-year, to 914,901 head, and was down 8% from the record number the previous quarter.

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) has just released the first edition of The Quarterly Feed, a seasonal update of feedlot research and development (R&D) projects and the latest in grainfed cattle market news.

The latest ALFA/MLA quarterly feedlot survey reflects the trend over the past three years of continued growth in cattle numbers on feed at the larger end of the feedlot sector.

Weather extremes over the past 12 months have significantly impacted producer decision making as well as production and price variability. The rainfall outcomes, or lack thereof, have influenced two conflicting seasons – a positive northern system and continued dry weather across southern Australia.

All cattle indicators improved this week, however, those for finished trim and lean meat fared softer than the feeder steer and restocker markets.

The Australian lot feeding sector continues to go from strength-to-strength with numbers of cattle on feed exceeding 1.4 million head and capacity breaking 1.6 million head for the first time, according to the June 2024 quarterly feedlot survey published by the Australian Lot Feeders’ Association (ALFA) and Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA).