Australia: highest female slaughter in almost 50 years

ABS data for Q4 2025 confirmed a historically large year for Australia’s cattle sector. Total cattle slaughter reached 9.28 million head in 2025, with beef production totaling 2.8 million tons.

Of the 9.28 million head processed, 4.93 million were females and 4.35 million were males, placing the national female slaughter rate (FSR) at 53% for the year. While the female share has remained elevated since 2024, current levels do not signal heavy destocking. The FSR peaked at 54.5% in the June quarter before easing to 52.3% in Q4.

Export demand for lean beef, particularly from the United States, has been a key driver of elevated female turn-off. In fact, 2025 marked the highest female slaughter since 1977.

Male processing has not increased to the same extent and remains below the 2015 peak of 4.56 million head, reinforcing that 2025’s record outcome was primarily driven by higher female slaughter, MLA said.