Summary
- The size of the Western Australian (WA) beef cattle herd remained unchanged between mid-2013 and mid-2014 at between 1.8 and 1.9 million head; however this is 200-300 thousand head less than it was between 2006 and 2010.
- Total turn off increased by 22% in 2013/14 when compared to 2012/13.
- There was a 5% increase in cattle slaughter and a 56% increase in live exports when comparing 2013/14 to 2012/13.
- Beef production increased by 6% in Western Australia and 10% for Australia in 2013/14 when compared to the previous year and the trend appears to be continuing in 2014/15.
- The number of cattle on feed in Western Australia at the end of 2014 was the highest end of year total since December 2006 and nearly double the December 2013 total.
- The value of WA beef exports in the first eight months of 2014/15 have increased 48% compared to the same period in 2013/14.
- One third of the 236 000 live cattle exported from Western Australia in 2013/14 were exported to Indonesia; however this appears to be declining so far during 2014/15.
- Cattle prices have started 2015 very strongly. The January prices for both feeder yearlings and heavy cows are higher than the January prices received in each of the last five years.