Good season to beef up Tassie meat industry

TASMANIA’S beef industry is in a positive position, especially as other parts of the country are only just hanging on, says an industry analyst.

Rabobank’s senior analyst — animal protein, Angus Gidley-Baird, who authored Aus- tralian 2018 Beef Cattle Seasonal Outlook, said Tasmanian producers had been building up numbers.

“Providing we have a good season, it looks favourable for the industry,” Mr Gidley-Baird said.

According to Meat and Livestock Australia ABS esti- mate the Australian beef and cattle industry was worth $16.85 million in 2016-17. Yet Australia represents only 3% of the world’s cattle and buffalo inventory, with India, Brazil and China taking the top three places. However Australia is the third largest beef exporter in the world.

Tasmania has 600,000 cattle and the state represents 2.6 per cent of the Australian beef and veal production. According the ABS estimate Australians ate around 26kg of beef per person in 2016-17.

Beef is the third most popular fresh meat protein consumed through the food service industry after chicken and seafood, says RIRDC/ Fresh Agenda.

Growth in the local cattle herd and increased numbers of young stock, together with softer mainland prices, are expected to result in slightly lower prices for 2018.

“Producers have held on to young females and started the rebuilding process.

“Cattle prices have been pretty good, they have levelled out in recent weeks, and are not at the levels of a year ago.

“Increased shipping capability now provides more flexibility in balancing local and mainland supplies and prices.”