www.abc.net.au /news/rural/2023-06-25/cattle-herd-rebuilds-as-northern-australia-emerges-from-drought/102510242

Intense herd rebuild sees more meat headed to market as three years of good seasons pays off

Maddelin McCosker4-4 minutes 6/25/2023

It's mustering time at Retreat Station in Queensland's Channel Country, and Bob and Andrea Speed are busy in the cattle yards.

Key points:

• Australia's cattle herd is projected to grow to 28.7 million in 2023
• Slaughter rates are set to increase as well
• Cattle producers in Queensland's Channel Country are responsible for a large number of cattle heading to market

Over two days they've walked 1,500 head from their back paddocks up to the yards ready to be loaded onto cattle trucks.

As Australia's herd is rebuilt after years of drought more cattle will head to market, which is good news for consumers.

It means more meat in the shops, and eventually, cheaper prices at the check out.

More cattle, cheaper steaks

During the drought, graziers such as the Speed family sold large numbers of female cattle they would typically keep in a bid to ease stocking rates on dry properties.

Bob and Andrea Speed say the incredible seasons they've seen in recent years has allowed them to buy in more stock at low prices.(ABC Rural: Maddelin McCosker)

It meant they could not breed as many replacement animals, reducing how much meat made it to the supermarket.

Ms Speed said three fantastic wet seasons had now transformed grazing properties across the north.

"We've just got so much grass," she said.

"It's giving us the opportunity to buy a few more cheaper cattle."

Once this mob are moved off the property, the Speed family will head to the Northern Territory to muster more cattle, including breeders, to bring back to their station.

The Speed family spend most of the year mustering cattle and moving them from their properties in the NT and North West, through western Queensland and into a feedlot.(ABC Rural: Maddelin McCosker)

As they can now retain their female breeders, the family can produce more cattle. More animals in the market means lower prices, which also allows them to buy in more.

Ultimately, there are more animals headed to the abattoirs which puts cheaper beef on the table.

Riding the highs while prices are low

Beef producers such as the Speed family are contributing to these growing numbers.

Ripley Atkinson says cattle producers are elated after three unprecedented good seasons.(Supplied: Meat and Livestock Australia)

Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) has projected that Australia's herd will grow to 28.7 million in 2023, its highest level since 2014.

The research and development body predicts that large numbers of grass-fed cattle from the Channel Country will head to feedlots and processors, and from there to markets, and dinner tables around the world.

MLA senior market information analyst Ripley Atkinson said the retained female cattle combined with three unprecedented good seasons had driven an intense rebuild period

"In 2022 [herd rebuild] reached its most intense period in 50 years," he said.

"Because the herd is larger, we're naturally expecting those numbers to reach processing facilities."

The Speed family are in the process of mustering thousands of head of cattle at their property near Jundah in Queenslands Channel Country.(ABC Rural: Maddelin McCosker)

Mr Speed agreed the animals now on the move in the Channel Country were just the start.

"The floods up north have delayed a lot of mustering," he said.

"So there's still plenty of weaners to come down."