Current situation and future prospects for the Australian beef industry - A review

Abstract

Beef production extends over almost half of Australia, with about 47,000 cattle producers that contribute about 20% ($A12.7 billion gross value of production) of the total value of farm production in Australia. Australia is one of the world's most efficient producers of cattle and was the world's third largest beef exporter in 2016. The Australian beef industry had 25 million head of cattle in 2016-17, with a national beef breeding herd of 11.5 million head. Australian beef production includes pasture-based cow-calf systems, a backgrounding or grow-out period on pasture, and feedlot or pasture finishing. Feedlot finishing has assumed more importance in recent years to assure the eating quality of beef entering the relatively small Australian domestic market, and to enhance the supply of higher value beef for export markets. Maintenance of Australia's preferred status as a quality assured supplier of high value beef produced under environmentally sustainable systems from 'disease-free' cattle is of highest importance. Stringent livestock and meat quality regulations and quality assurance systems, and productivity growth and efficiency across the supply chain to ensure price competiveness, are crucial for continued export market growth in the face of increasing competition. Major industry issues, that also represent research, development and adoption priorities and opportunities for the Australian beef industry have been captured within exhaustive strategic planning processes by the red meat and beef industries. At the broadest level, these issues include consumer and industry support, market growth and diversification, supply chain efficiency, productivity and profitability, environmental sustainability, and animal health and welfare. This review provides an overview of the Australian beef industry including current market trends and future prospects, and major issues and opportunities for the continued growth, development and profitability of the industry.

Keywords: Beef Production; Beef Value Chain; Quality Assurance; Research and Development; Beef Markets.

Figure 1

The world’s largest beef producing and exporting countries in 2016 [1].

Figure 2

Climate classification in Australia [8].

Figure 3

Distribution of Australia’s 25 million cattle as at June 2016 [1].

Figure 4

Schematic of Australian beef supply chains [9].

Figure 5

Australian beef export values, Australian-US exchange rate and significant market developments [23].

Figure 6

Agricultural megatrends likely to impact on the Australian and global beef industries [24].

Figure 7

National research, development and adoption (RD&A) priorities to enhance long-term growth, viability and sustainability of the Australian beef industry [32]

Figure 8

In-field walk-over-weighing combined with on-animal and environmental sensors provide the opportunity to develop automated phenotyping in the commercial grazing environment, and decision support tools and apps to enhance productivity, efficiency and sustainability of beef production systems (Photograph: Dr Greg Bishop-Hurley, CSIRO, Australia).

Figure 9

Schematic representation of efficiency at pasture phenotyping network for grazing livestock meat (and fibre) production [33]. Also see Figures 8 and 10.

Figure 10

Objective measurement technologies and data links across the Australian beef value chain will enable feedback from the market and better management decisions to improve production and processing efficiencies and compliance with market specifications.