Summary
- The Western Australian (WA) beef cattle herd increased 14% year on year to 2.24 million head in 2014/15
- Total turn-off fell 6% from 717 000 in 2013/14 to 675 000 in 2014/15
- Between 2012 and 2015 there was an increase of 10% for WA cattle slaughter and beef production, with 2% more male cattle than female cattle slaughtered in 2015
- Between 2012 and 2015 WA beef exports increased 72% in volume to 43 million kilograms and 170% in value to A$184 million. Korea was WA’s largest market for boxed beef by volume in 2015 and the United States of America (USA) was the largest by value
- Vietnam was the largest market by volume and value for WA live cattle exports in 2015, accounting for 28% of the volume and 29% of the value of live cattle exported
- During 2016, WA cattle market indicators have been very strong compared to previous years. In July 2016:
- the feeder yearling indicator averaged 329 cents/kilogram (c/kg)
- the heavy cow indicator averaged 242c/kg
- the pastoral cow indicator averaged 210c/kg
- the light bull sale yard indicator averaged 307c/kg.