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Cattle and lamb slaughter rates have surged significantly at the start of 2025, as livestock producers are facing challenging conditions such as drought and floods across the nation.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that cattle slaughter reached 2.2 million in the year’s first quarter, marking a 20 percent rise compared to the same period in 2024.
It was the largest quarterly cattle slaughter in Victoria since 1979, and the largest since 2015 in New South Wales.
“While some areas are destocking, others are benefiting from improved conditions and holding onto stock.
“This is most evident in Queensland where generally good conditions are resulting in stock retention and even herd growth.”
Beef production rose three per cent during the quarter to 679,000 tonnes, with South Australia recording the highest growth of 16 per cent.
Volunteers and crews perform more than 150 flood rescues
Meanwhile, lamb slaughter for the quarter was the second highest level on record, at 6.86 million head.
In Victoria, this figure accounted for over half of the total, with 3.83 million lambs slaughtered. New South Wales followed with 1.48 million, marking a 27 percent increase.
Sheep slaughter, however, was down 14 per cent on the previous quarter, though still seven per cent higher than this time last year.
Sheep and lamb slaughter across the country for the quarter reaped $1.58 billion in gross value.
