2025 before it starts to decline

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“Both of these metrics suggest that the lowest or most signifcant retention of stock on record occurred for the year. This underpins the positive growth in numbers forecast for the next three years

By 2025, the national herd is expected to reach its highest level since the 1970s at 29.6m head, before a steady decline. This continued growth is due to strong female reproductive performance, genetic improvements across the herd and sound on farm management.

Input prices and cost of production will be major factors affecting the ability of the sector to remain productive and effcient.

In addition, the availability of skilled and unskilled workers to manage the increased supply of cattle in 2023 will be the major issue affecting the red meat industry. The processing sector’s ability to process cattle will determine production levels and therefore exports in 2023.

MLA’s Market Information team have recognised this with a two-scenario forecast for 2023.

“If labour concerns are not addressed within the processing sector, slaughter is forecast to reach 6m head,” according to Mr Atkinson.

“Based on actual supply of cattle this year, the forecasts indicate an uptick in numbers to 6.625m head.”

2023 will be a year of transition for the cattle industry according to Mr Atkinson.

“Positive outcomes along the entire supply chain seem likely as the exceptional operating conditions on-farm continue.

“The overall outlook for Australia’s beef industry both domestically and internationally is one of optimism and positivity, whilst it continues to deliver high quality beef in larger volumes, this is expected to be a major feature in 2023,” Mr Atkinson said.

Positive outcomes are expected along the entire supply chain, with Australia’s beef industry continuing to deliver high quality beef in larger volumes.

Labor needs to explain how it will fx the state’s roads if it wins the upcoming election, NSW Farmers says. Widespread rain and fooding last year caused signifcant damage to many country roads, and NSW Farmers Vice President Rebecca Reardon said voters needed to know there was a plan to fx the problem.

“We know there’s damage in the city as well as in the country, but what we’re asking for is a clear idea of how Labor will fx our roads if they form government,” Mrs Reardon said.

“The Coalition Government has put up funding – not enough to properly address the issue – but Labor has yet to make their position clear.

“This is a critical matter for all voters because these broken roads are what we use to get food from farm gate to dinner plate.”

This week the NSW Government revealed which local government areas would get funding under the $280 million Regional and Local Roads Repair Program, many of them in country areas. While additional funding was important, Mrs Reardon said, it was nowhere near enough to resolve the problem once and for all. She said there was also a need to secure the workforce and access to materials with a strategic approach to the road network.

“This is a tough problem for country communities, and we’re seeing a lot of damage to backroads being caused by people avoiding alreadydamaged main roads,” Mrs Reardon said.

“If we as a state don’t get on top of it soon, the problem will grow beyond anyone’s ability to solve it.

“Councils can only do so much with the funding models as they stand – they need to be supported by state and federal governments as we rebuild after last year’s extreme weather.”