East Gippsland beef producers are set to benefit from strong national cattle production figures to start 2026, with new Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data showing the industry has recorded its highest first-quarter beef production on record.
The data, analysed by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), shows Australia produced 730,077 tonnes of beef in the March quarter — up two per cent on the previous quarter and eight per cent higher year-on-year — driven by strong throughput and increased cattle turn-off in key producing regions.
Cattle slaughter reached 2.30 million head nationally, a six per cent lift compared with the same period last year, reflecting sustained supply following a record production year in 2025.
While East Gippsland is not among the nation’s largest cattle processing regions, local producers are closely tied into broader Victorian and New South Wales supply trends, with processors at Bairnsdale and across Gippsland influenced by the same seasonal and market drivers.
MLA market information manager Stephen Bignell said favourable conditions in northern Australia and higher yardings in parts of New South Wales had supported the strong result.
“Favourable seasonal conditions across northern Australia are supporting productivity, while dry conditions in northern New South Wales have contributed to higher yardings and turn-off in that region,” Mr Bignell said.
Victorian slaughter rose two per cent to 552,900 head, reflecting steady supply conditions across the southern production system, which includes Gippsland’s cattle industry.
Carcase weights also continued to rise nationally, reaching 317 kilograms in the March quarter, supported by improved finishing conditions and increased grainfed turn-off.
The national female slaughter rate edged up to 53 per cent, signalling ongoing herd adjustment, although it remains below recent peak levels.
Cattle transactions also reached a record $6 billion for the quarter, highlighting continued strong demand for Australian beef across both domestic and export markets.
“Record transaction values demonstrate the resilience and underlying demand for Australian cattle, both domestically and internationally,” Mr Bignell said.
Despite the strong production figures, analysts say mixed seasonal conditions across southern regions — including parts of Victoria — could influence supply consistency through the remainder of 2026.
Sheep and lamb production also eased nationally during the March quarter, reflecting tighter supply following elevated turn-off in 2025. Sheep slaughter fell 23 per cent quarter-on-quarter, while lamb production declined 10 per cent year-on-year, although higher carcase weights helped offset some of the reduction.
Mr Bignell said the sheep sector was entering a rebalancing phase following recent highs.
“We’re seeing a contraction in sheep supply following a period of high turn-off, particularly through 2025,” he said.
