For the week ending 21 September, indicative Queensland adult weekly cattle slaughter, as collated by MLA’s National Livestock Reporting Service, totalled 75,126 head. This was the highest weekly total since the third week of June last year, and the highest weekly September total since 2001.
Emphasising the increased flow of cattle in the past two months, weekly Queensland slaughter has exceeded 70,000 head for all but one week since the start of August, with the average weekly kills for the past eight weeks 5% and 8% above the corresponding periods in 2011 and 2010.
The recent increase in throughput in Queensland has been assisted by the dry finish to winter across southern and northern NSW, with producers looking to lighten their current numbers in case the dry conditions continue. Also underpinning the higher kill rates in recent weeks has been a substantial flow of cattle out of central and western regions of Queensland – accentuated by lower turnoff in the past two years as producers retained cattle in the wake of the wet seasons. Reflecting the run of seasons, reports have indicated that many of the western lines of cattle have been well above previous season’s weights.
Given the higher numbers already registered through September, throughput levels into October and November are also anticipated to be well above year ago levels. Historically, October and November is when Queensland throughput levels peak, assisted by the desire for producers to market cattle before the start of the wet season, when logistical issues can prevent sales.
Source: Argentine Beef Packers S.A.
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