Numbers through saleyards on the up

A RECENT survey by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) showed the throughput in Australian saleyards has risen by more than 2 million head as the dryer parts of the country destock in preparation for a long dry run.

Facilitated by the National Livestock Reporting Service (NLRS), the survey revealed Victoria has had the biggest sell-off of sheep.

According to NLRS operations manager for MLA Stephanie Pitt, the survey reporting transactions for the financial year aimed to inform industry of saleyard throughput across all states, except the Northern Territory.

“In the 2024 financial year, there were just over 18.5 million transactions made across sheep and cattle, an increase of 2.1 million livestock compared to the previous financial year,” Ms Pitt said.

“There were significant increases of livestock transacted across the country, with the largest percentage changes seen in Tasmanian cattle (28.6 per cent), South Australian cattle (27.6 per cent) and Victorian cattle (26.5 per cent).

“The biggest changes in sheep were seen in Victorian sheep (+14.8 per cent), New South Wales sheep (+14.7 per cent) and Western Australian sheep (+11 per cent).

“Cattle throughput in Western Australia and Queensland fell in the financial year, falling 3.4 per cent and 1.1 per cent respectively.”

The MLA says livestock throughput information can inform investment, strategic direction of saleyards, as well as highlighting the social, economic and cultural value saleyards provide to rural and regional communities.

This data can reveal the cyclical nature of the herd and flock rebuilds, alongside changing market conditions that can be attributed to adjustments in livestock supply via the saleyards as producers choose different sales channels to market their stock.

The NLIS was introduced to provide lifetime traceability of all livestock, requiring all properties with livestock to have a Property Identification Code (PIC).

This assists biosecurity, supply chain integrity, and also enables you to be contacted in an emergency or if stock have escaped from your property.