Lexi Webster
Australia has 43,763 beef cattle farms, with a national herd of 26.6 million cattle, according to the National Farmers' Federation Australia. These farms produce 2.1 million tonnes of beef and veal each year, with Queensland being the largest beef-producing state. In 2020, Queensland produced approximately 1.1 million metric tons of beef, double the amount of New South Wales, the state with the second-largest inventory.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Largest beef-producing state | Queensland |
| Number of cattle in Queensland (as of June 2016) | 10.6 million |
| Number of cattle in New South Wales (second-largest state) | 5 million |
| Number of cattle in Western Australia | 2 million |
| Number of cattle in South Australia | 1.1 million |
| Number of cattle in Tasmania | 650,000 |
| Total number of beef and veal produced annually in Australia | 2.1 million tonnes |
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What You'll Learn
Queensland is Australia's largest beef producer
Queensland's cattle population has been consistently high over the years. In 2016, the state accounted for 10.6 million head, with seven of the top ten NRM regions for beef numbers and eight of the top 20. The largest region, Fitzroy, had more than 2.64 million head, followed by the Northern Territory with 2.23 million.
The beef industry is significant in Australia, accounting for 50% of all farms with agricultural activity. In 2010-2011, Australia's farm exports earned the country $32.5 billion, a $400 million increase in two years. Beef and veal production contributed to 17% of total Australian farm exports.
Queensland's dominance in beef production is evident when compared to other states. For example, Western Australia, the third-largest state for cattle production, had a population of 2 million, with the Rangelands NRM region accounting for 80% of the state's total. South Australia, with 1.1 million head, had only one of the top 20 NRM regions, while Tasmania's 650,000 head were concentrated in the North and Northwest regions.
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New South Wales is the second-largest producer
Queensland is Australia's largest producer of beef, with approximately 1.1 million metric tons of beef produced in the state in the year ending June 2020. Queensland has maintained its status as the country's "beef powerhouse," with more than twice as many cattle as New South Wales, the second-largest producer.
New South Wales holds the second position in terms of beef production in Australia. While Queensland doubled New South Wales' cattle inventory in 2010-2011, New South Wales still boasts a significant cattle population. According to data from 2016, New South Wales had a cattle population of 5 million head, which included six of the top 20 NRM (Natural Resource Management) region populations.
The Central West region within New South Wales is particularly noteworthy for its cattle population. While specific production figures for New South Wales are not readily available, the state's substantial cattle inventory translates into considerable beef production.
The beef industry is a significant contributor to Australia's agricultural sector, with beef and veal production contributing to 17% of total Australian farm exports. New South Wales plays a crucial role in maintaining this contribution, solidifying its position as the second-largest beef producer in the country.
It is worth noting that the distribution of cattle and beef production in Australia can be influenced by factors such as drought, which may lead to shifts in regional trends over time. However, as of 2016, New South Wales firmly held its position as the second-largest producer, contributing significantly to Australia's overall beef industry.
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Northern Territory has the largest cattle population after Queensland
Queensland is the largest cattle-producing state in Australia. In the year ending June 2020, approximately 1.1 million metric tons of beef were produced in Queensland. This amount is more than double the amount of cattle produced in New South Wales, the state with the second-largest cattle inventory. Queensland retains its status as Australia's beef powerhouse, with more than twice as many cattle as the next largest state.
The Northern Territory has the second-largest cattle population in Australia, with a total of 2.23 million head of cattle as of June 2016. The Northern Territory is an Australian internal territory in the central and central-northern regions of Australia. It is sparsely populated, with a human population of only 249,000 as of December 2021. However, it has a significant cattle population, contributing to its exports. In 2012-13, the Northern Territory's exports were up 12.9%, with food and live animals, primarily live cattle, being a major contributor.
The North Australian Pastoral Company Pty Limited (NAPCO) is one of Australia's largest beef cattle producers, with a herd of over 180,000 cattle across Queensland and the Northern Territory. The vast cattle stations in the Northern Territory, such as the 33,280 square kilometers Victoria River Downs, have contributed to the region's significant cattle population.
The Northern Territory's cattle industry has a long history, with Aborigines playing a significant role as competent stockmen on the cattle stations of the north. The region's isolation and access to water sources have likely contributed to its suitability for cattle grazing and production.
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Western Australia has the enormous Rangelands NRM region
Queensland is the largest cattle-producing state in Australia, with approximately 1.1 million metric tons of beef produced in the year ending in June 2020. However, Western Australia, which includes the enormous Rangelands NRM region, is also a significant contributor to the country's beef industry.
The Rangelands NRM region occupies about 80% of Western Australia and is characterised by its vast landscapes, cultural significance to First Nations communities, and variable rainfall. The region includes the southern rangelands, which comprise the Gascoyne, Murchison, and Goldfields-Nullarbor regions. The southern rangelands are known for their shrublands and low pasture productivity due to low and variable rainfall.
The goal of sustainable pastoralism in the Rangelands is to maintain the use of natural resources for livestock production without causing land degradation. To achieve this, baseline data and rangeland surveys are used to monitor the condition of natural resources and estimate the sustainable carrying capacity for livestock.
The Western Australian beef industry has seen a shift from sheep to cattle across the southern rangelands. Pastoralists in the Kimberley and Pilbara regions, known for their tropical breeding cattle, sell most of their cattle for live export, while those in the Pilbara also supply the domestic market. The move towards cattle production in Western Australia contributes to the state's position as one of the largest beef-producing states in the country.
In summary, Western Australia's enormous Rangelands NRM region plays a crucial role in the state's beef industry. With its vast landscapes and sustainable pastoralism practices, the region supports a significant cattle population and contributes to Western Australia's position as one of the leading beef-producing states in Australia.
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South Australia only accounts for one of the top 20 NRM regions
Queensland is the largest cattle-producing state in Australia, with more than double the number of cattle than the second-largest state, New South Wales. Queensland accounted for seven of the top ten NRM regions for beef numbers, and eight of the top 20. The largest NRM region is Fitzroy, with more than 2.64 million head of cattle, followed by the entire Northern Territory with 2.23 million.
New South Wales, the second-largest cattle-producing state, had six of the top 20 NRM region populations, the largest being the Central West region. Western Australia, the third-largest state for cattle production, included the enormous Rangelands NRM region, which occupied about 80% of the state and accounted for 1.11 million head of cattle.
South Australia, with a total cattle population of 1.1 million head, only accounted for one of the top 20 NRM regions – the South East region, which was in 15th position with just over 607,000 head. Tasmania, with a smaller cattle population of 650,000 head, was concentrated in the North and Northwest regions, with around 300,000 head each.
Overall, Queensland is the clear leader in beef production in Australia, with more than twice as many cattle as New South Wales, and a significant presence in the top NRM regions. South Australia, on the other hand, only contributes modestly to the country's total beef production, with a single NRM region in the top 20.
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Frequently asked questions
Queensland is by far the largest beef-producing state in Australia, with more than double the number of cattle than New South Wales, the state with the second-largest inventory.
New South Wales is the second-largest cattle-producing state in Australia, with a cattle population of 5 million head as of June 2016.
The Northern Territory has the largest region for cattle population in Australia, with 2.23 million head of cattle as of June 2016.
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