Australia – Meat & Livestock Australia’s National Livestock Reporting Service (MLA-NLRS) has unveiled its annual report on livestock transactions for the financial year 2022-23. The data, which covers both cattle and sheep, reveals significant shifts in the market, offering valuable insights for stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
Key Highlights
According to the MLA-NLRS reports, Australia witnessed a total of 3,568,674 cattle and 12,766,760 sheep transactions in the year ending June 2023.
The surveys were conducted in collaboration with the Australian Livestock Markets Association (ALMA) and involved data collection from 73 cattle sale yards across the nation.
State-wise Analysis
New South Wales
The state-led in both cattle and sheep transactions, reporting 1,248,725 cattle and 7,139,501 sheep transactions. Dubbo Regional Livestock Market stood out with a 25.2% year-on-year increase in cattle transactions.
Queensland
The state followed closely in cattle transactions with 1,135,804 but had a relatively lower number of sheep transactions at 82,720. Roma Saleyards experienced an 11% increase in cattle transactions compared to the previous year.
Victoria
The state reported 790,530 cattle transactions, with Leongatha Saleyards seeing a significant 20.6% decrease year-on-year.
Image Source: MLA NLRS Saleyards Survey
Year-on-Year Changes
New South Wales experienced a 7.3% increase in cattle and a 6.8% increase in sheep transactions. Queensland saw an 8.1% decrease in cattle transactions but a substantial 36.6% increase in sheep transactions.
Victoria reported a 30% decrease in cattle transactions.
Implications and Future Outlook
The data from the MLA-NLRS reports are crucial for various stakeholders, including farmers, traders, and policymakers. The observed fluctuations in livestock transactions could lead to several implications, such as adjustments in pricing and supply chain strategies.
