MLA’s latest Beef Production Intention Survey, which gathered responses from more than 3,000 cattle producers, showed confidence in the Australian cattle sector remains strong. Six in ten producers expressed optimism about industry prospects over the next 12 months.
National net sentiment held steady at +53, unchanged from April 2025. However, regional differences emerged, with sentiment in northern Australia easing from +65 to +52, while southern producers became slightly more positive, with sentiment rising from +52 to +53.
Producer expectations are also reflected in herd plans. Nationally, 26% of producers intend to increase their herd size, 21% plan to reduce numbers, and 54% expect to maintain current herd levels.
The strongest expansion intentions were reported in South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania, where around one-third of producers plan to grow their herds. In contrast, 31% of producers in New South Wales intend to reduce herd numbers, while in Queensland 24% plan to expand and 19% expect to downsize, despite ongoing concerns about production costs.
