Kristin Murdock, Naracoorte Community News
Recent analysis of ABS data by Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) has seen some interesting trends emerge within Australia’s cattle herd. Between 2016 and 2021, there was an increase in running cattle in general of two per cent. At the other end of the scale, dairy enterprises have dropped by 23 per cent.
MLA states that declining heifer numbers in dairy herds indicates a structural move away from dairy cattle in Australia. The drop in numbers equates to 83000 heifers across the industry.
In contrast, five per cent more enterprises were running beef heifers between 2016 to 2021 as producers rebuilt their herds post-drought. As a result, there were an extra 1,811 businesses running beef cattle in 2021 compared to 2016.
Total cattle numbers (dairy and beef) rose in all states except NSW and the NT. There was a 20 per cent rise in Tasmania, WA increased six per cent, Victoria by 3 per cent and Queensland by 2 percent. Cattle numbers in SA remained the same.
The number of total cattle in NSW fell 11 per cent or 567,446 head. Cattle numbers in the NT were back 23 per cent or 506,668 head.
The drop in cattle numbers in NSW was driven by a reduction in cattle businesses – down three per cent or 514 enterprises.
This article appeared in the Naracoorte Community News.
