Livestock stampede to slaughter
TOUGH seasonal conditions across eastern Australia have prompted a massive stampede of sheep and cattle to slaughter.
And the alarming trend, which could put a significant dent in the national breeding herd and flock going forward, is showing no signs of slowing, with almost no rain forecast for the bulk of Australia in the next week.
According to experts, sheep and cattle that wouldn’t be normally sold until spring are being forced on to the market by the tough conditions.
Meat and Livestock Australia said the number of female cattle sent to slaughter in Queensland in the week ending March 1 was 60 per cent higher than the corresponding period in 2018 with throughput in NSW up 50 per cent. A breakdown of male-to-female cattle slaughtered in Victoria is not available.
In the eastern states, cattle slaughterings were up 19 per cent on last year while the number of sheep slaughtered was 31 per cent higher.
Meat and Livestock Australia market intelligence manager Scott Tolmie said a lack of pasture and high feed costs were contributing to the situation.
“It’s a culmination of the northern wet season not coming to fruition for northern producers, and we’ve hit another tipping point,” he said. For many, that tipping point brings a decision on whether to sell or keep breeding stock.
A total of 78,607 cattle were slaughtered in Queensland in the week ending March 1-25 per cent higher than the same time last year. Of those cattle, 60 per cent more female cattle were slaughtered than at the same time last year.