Beef Industry Statistics And FAQs
On the scope of global production, Australia produces quite a low percentage of beef, as compared to countries that have almost the same number of resources in comparison. According to research, this has to do with the country’s low population. Which is ironic, given the fact that the production of cattle takes a major office in the industry.
More than 50% of Australia’s agricultural farms are made up of cattle herding. On top of that, Australians spend at least $8.5million on beef alone, annually. Talk about beef, not shrimp, on the barbie!
FAQs About Australia’s Beef Industry
The continent is divided into two, in terms of beef production. First, you have the Northern Cattle Producers. And secondly, the Southern Cattle Producers. Northern Cattle Producers makes up about 75% of the continent’s beef production. And yet that’s only less than 50% of the national cattle herd.
As for the Southern Cattle Producers, they breed high-quality cattle so that as a result, the beef they produce is of prime calibre as well. This is why the generalization that quality beef comes from the South more than the North is quite the common occurrence.
This also means that the South is more likely to sell beef to high-value markets— other countries like Japan and Russia, among others. On the other hand, the North also exports low quality beef to Asia countries.
Challenges
The Australian Beef Industry, much like its Agricultural counterpart, operates in a free market. A unilateral trade is what courses through the production and distribution of beef. This may sound like an ideal strategy, and perhaps, it is, if you think of it as a way for producers to profit largely from within the country’s borders.
However, surveying it from a global standpoint, you’re looking at the competition that is, to a great extent, subsidised. Many of the participants in the international market have the backing of their government. Rather, they’re more heavily supported than the producers in Australia.
On that note, the Australian government has been making rapid and extensive movements in ensuring that this sector of the industry thrives much more than it’s steadying its pace, or in other forecasts, slowing down.
But really, there’s another variable that causes huge impacts on cattle farming. This variable is climate. Australia’s warm, and often, dry seasons mean that there are large chunks in a season or in a year where low precipitation is equivalent to low water availability. Therefore, this results in a lower quality of feeds, and in worse situations, a scarcity of it. Add all these together and cattle health dwindles as well.
Be that as it may, there are solutions in place, Plan Bs and Cs since these occurrences are impending.
The Future Of The Beef Industry
Through years of study and research, Australia now finds itself able to adapt to these extreme drivers. More specifically concerning weather and climate changes. The beef industry is seeing a shift in diversifying into technological advancement for production efficiency.
With a widening Asian market, demand is increasing. That, and production capacities with it.
DISCLAIMER: This information has been provided as General Material for your deliberation. Any data with regards to Government Policies have been taken from official Australian Government resources. No liability shall be accepted in the event of errors or misrepresentation of said facts, and the commentary and analysis of the same which can be found in the public domain. It is advised that you seek counsel from your financial advisors or accountants for specifics.