Early 2025 has seen a significant rise in the number of cattle and lamb slaughters as farmers are forced to offload their livestock due to challenging conditions such as droughts and floods.
According to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, cattle slaughter figures reached 2.2 million in the first quarter of the year, marking a 20% increase 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.
Before and after photos show rapid rise of river
Meanwhile, lamb slaughter for the quarter was the second highest level on record, at 6.86 million head.
Victoria led the way in cattle slaughter numbers, accounting for over half of the total with 3.83 million lambs processed, while New South Wales followed with 1.48 million lambs – a rise of 27% compared to the previous year.
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.
