Australian beef and veal production during August declined 4pc year-on-year, as a trucking strike in Queensland at the start of the month impacted cattle numbers and throughput across the state, according to the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

MLA reports that the ABS figures show Australian production for the month totalled 175,463 tonnes (carcase weight) – with Queensland production falling 10pc.

A 23pc and 11pc year-on-year decline in Queensland female and male cattle slaughter, respectively, were the main factors behind the lower production for August, as sales and cattle movements were disrupted.

The lower production volumes had flow-on effects to exports during August, which declined 12pc on the same period last year.

In contrast to Queensland, production in NSW and Victoria increased, as female turnoff jumped across both states.

Continued drought conditions assist the increased turnoff, with adult female slaughter in NSW (72,000 head) up 12pc, while Victorian numbers jumped 18pc year-on-year to 85,000 head. Interestingly, male slaughter declined in both states, back 3pc and 4pc respectively.

SA adult cattle turnoff dropped 25pc in August, while WA and Tasmanian numbers increased 3pc and 9pc respectively.