Weekly Cattle and Sheep Market Update – 29 February 2024
TL;DR: The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has released its latest weekly market wrap for cattle and sheep, highlighting key trends and statistics. For the week ending 24 February 2024, overall Great Britain (GB) deadweight prime cattle prices have levelled off as more cattle were brought to market, with weekly estimated prime cattle slaughter […]
Slaughter Rates in Australia Reach New Highs as the Year Progresses
TL;DR: The latest national slaughter statistics reveal a significant uptick in adult cattle slaughter rates, hitting 127,465 head for the week ended Friday, marking the highest point of the year. This surge is notable, being the largest weekly kill since May 2020, which was influenced by the tail-end of drought conditions. Queensland saw a substantial […]
Aus Lamb Production Forecast Continues its Record-Breaking Trend
TL;DR: Australia is on track for another record-breaking year in lamb production, with projections indicating a total of 621,000 tonnes for 2024, up 9% from the previous year. This marks an unprecedented fourth year of consecutive growth, pushing production 21.3% above the ten-year average. The forecast for 2025 suggests a slight dip to 587,000 tonnes, […]
Australian Sheep Flock to Decline as Lamb Slaughter Hits Record High for Second Year
TL;DR: After three years of growth, the Australian sheep flock is anticipated to decrease by 2.9% to 76.5 million in 2024. This decline is attributed to a record lamb slaughter, projected to reach 23.7 million in 2024, and an elevated turnoff of sheep, particularly older, unproductive breeding stock. This shift is partly due to the […]
MLA’s Latest Cattle and Sheep Industry Projections for 2024
TL;DR: Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) has released its first industry projections for 2024, providing a detailed outlook for the cattle and sheep sectors over the next three years. These projections cover herd and flock sizes, slaughter rates, production volumes, and carcass weights, alongside an analysis of domestic and global market influences. The Australian cattle […]
Not So Lucky New Year for China Lamb
TL;DR: The Chinese New Year, celebrated on February 10 this year, usually brings family gatherings and increased food consumption, including lamb. However, this year, the expected boost to lamb prices did not happen. Dave Courtney from Silver Fern Farms noted that the sales during this period were subdued, a sentiment echoed by AgriHQ senior analyst […]
U.S. Cattle on Feed Sees Slight Increase from Last Year
TL;DR: As of February 1, the U.S. reported a slight uptick in the number of cattle and calves on feed-for-slaughter markets compared to February 2023, despite a small decrease from the previous month’s figures. The latest data from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reveals that feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more […]
Global Beef Demand to Remain Steady Amid Economic Challenges
TL;DR: In a recent report by Rabobank, it’s predicted that global beef demand will likely maintain its current level through 2024, amidst economic pressures and a consumer trend towards cheaper protein options. Angus Gidley-Baird, a senior analyst at Rabobank, highlighted that with expected limited or negative real wage growth and a higher cost environment, beef […]
Cattle Australia Hails New Biosecurity Oversight Initiative
TL;DR: Cattle Australia (CA) has expressed strong support for the Federal Government’s recent initiative to establish a Sustainable Biosecurity Funding Advisory Panel, aimed at increasing transparency and accountability in biosecurity funding for farmers. Dr Chris Parker, CA’s Chief Executive Officer, highlighted the importance of the panel’s terms of reference and Cattle Australia’s involvement in ensuring […]
Store Lambs Navigate a Dry Summer Season
TL;DR: As autumn announces its arrival with a cold snap, the lamb trade season transitions towards the potentially more profitable winter months. However, the summer season has presented its set of challenges for lamb finishers, shaped significantly by climatic conditions and market dynamics. Across New Zealand, the feed situation has been mixed. Hawke’s Bay enjoyed […]
