The number of Australian cattle on feedlots increased 15 per cent over the December 2008 quarter.
With 719,000 cattle on feed, feedlot capacity increased
to 59 per cent from 55 per cent. A lower exchange rate and lower feed prices are
driving the trend.
Australia is the second-biggest global beef exporter
by volume after Brazil, with exports of around A$4.5 billion annually. Exports
account for about two-thirds of domestic production. Around one quarter of the
cattle slaughtered in Australia are fed on grain.
[Source: Weekly Times]