Australian lamb production continued to increase in July, jumping 14% year-on-year, to 37,215 tonnes cwt, underpinned by a 14% increase in slaughter, to 1.6 million head.
This makes it the highest July production figure on record, and lifts total January to July production to 255,404 – 14% higher than the corresponding period in 2011 (Australian Bureau of Statistics).
Lamb production increased across all states during July, while national average carcase weights remained steady at 22.65 kg/head.
Victoria was again the largest producer of lamb, representing 45% of total monthly production at 16,839 tonnes cwt, while NSW (10,825 tonnes cwt) and Tasmania (1,184 tonnes cwt) recorded increases of 10% and 35%, respectively, year-on-year.
Despite falling 44% on June, WA production increased 9% year-on-year, to 1,667 tonnes cwt, as dry conditions continue to plague western regions.
SA production also declined on June, but rebounded 8% on July 2011, to 6,070 tonnes cwt.
Source: MLA.com
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