Importance of Livestock Industries

Feed manufacturers are an essential component in adding value to the production and supply of Australia’s raw materials for conversion into stock feed which commercial livestock owners use to produce higher value meat, milk, eggs and wool. The stock feed industry also provides hobby farmers, backyard and leisure livestock owners with high quality and reliable feeds for their animals.

Commercial Poultry Industry

Over 800,000 tonnes of chicken meat is produced annually within Australia (Source ABS), this is almost entirely consumed within the Australian domestic market. The chicken meat industry has been growing by 5.6% annually over the last 15 years. There are almost 15 million laying hens in Australia producing approximately 150,000 tonnes of fresh eggs annually. Eggs are produced from cage, barn and free range laying farms, with eggs produced being predominantly supplied to the Australian domestic market.

Pig Industry

Australia produced 325,000 tonnes of pig meat in 2007/08 (Source ABS), most of which is consumed locally as fresh pork. The Australian pig industry competes with pig meat imports from Canada, Denmark and the USA.

Dairy Industry

Australian milk production reached 9,400 million litres in 2008, and over 50% of Australia’s milk production is exported as dairy products (Source ADC). Milk production has more than doubled over the last 20 year period.

There are 1.7 million dairy cows in Australia and concentrate feeding has increased to 1,550kg/cow/300 day lactation (Source Dairy Australia).

Beef Industry

The Australian beef industry is valued at approximately $7.4 billion, with over 2 million tonnes of product produced (Source MLA). Australia exports nearly 65% of total beef production to over 100 countries. Australia is the largest beef exporter in the world, with 21% of total trade volume. (Source MLA)

Australia has a large beef feedlot sector with a high reliance upon grain feeding for export and domestic markets.

Sheep Industry

The Australian sheep industry is valued at approximately $1 billion, with a national sheep and lamb flock of about 15.5 million. Australia exports about 32% of total lamb meat production (Source MLA), and is also the world’s predominant exporter of live sheep. There has been increasing numbers of lambs finished on grain to provide more consistent supplies of lamb meat.

Horse Industry

The contribution of the horse industry to the Australian economy has been estimated to be over $6.2 billion a year (Source RIRDC). While racing and associated activities (breeding and gambling) contribute a little over half, horse businesses, equestrian and breed events and the maintenance of horses are very large industries in themselves.

Aquaculture Industry

Australia has a growing aquaculture industry, with species being farmed including salmon, trout, prawns, barramundi and blue fin tuna. The manufacture of aquafeeds requires high levels of technical knowledge and manufacturing technology.

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