Industry
MLA 
The Australian cattle herd was 26.2 mill. head at 30 June 2017.
AUSTRALIA, North Sydney. MLA recently released the annual Australian beef industry Fast Facts, which provide brief snapshots of key industry statistics – including herd and flock size, production, value, consumption, exports and Australia’s position relative to other countries.
In 2017–18, Australia produced 2.24 mill. t carcase weight (cwt) of beef and veal (ABS). In 2017–18, Australia exported 1.1 mill. t of beef and veal to over 78 countries, 71% of total production (ABS, DAWR). These exports generated $8 bn. (IHS Markit, Global Trade Atlas). Australia was the world’s third largest beef and veal exporter in 2017, after India and Brazil (DAWR, IHS Markit, Global Trade Atlas).
The Australian cattle herd was 26.2 mill. head at 30 June 2017. There were 12.2 mill. beef cows and heifers aged one year and over as at June 2017. There were 47,776 agricultural businesses with cattle as at June 2017 (ABS Agricultural Commodities 2016–17).
In 2016–17, the Australian red meat and livestock industry directly employed just over 191,800 people (Ernst & Young, IBISWorld).
In 2017–18, Australia produced 2.24 mill. t carcase weight (cwt) of beef and veal (ABS). In 2017–18, 2.8 mill. grainfed cattle were marketed (feedlot turn-off) – representing 38% of all adult cattle slaughtered.
In 2017–18, Australia exported 1.1 mill. t of beef and veal to over 78 countries, 71% of total production (ABS, DAWR). The value of total beef and veal exports in 2017–18 was $8 bn. (IHS Markit, Global Trade Atlas). Australian live cattle exports were valued at $1.27 bn. in 2017–18 with 957,537 head exported (ABS, DAWR).
Australia accounted for around 2% of the global cattle herd, and 3% of global beef production in 2016 (ABS, FAO). Australia was the world’s third largest beef and veal exporter in 2017, after India and Brazil (DAWR, IHS Markit, Global Trade Atlas).
Source: MLA