Today’s release of the official Australian livestock numbers as of June 30, 2020, by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has revealed just how far the Australian sheep flock has fallen in size in recent years – to 63.529 million head – the lowest official flock number since 1904 and fourth lowest annual count since 1885.
With a 3.4% decline from 2019, numbers as of June 2020, were back across all states apart from Victoria, which registered steady growth. Given the extent and severity of the drought between 2017-2020, the largest percentage decline in the Australian sheep flock has been in NSW, which fell 8.8% in 2019-20, to only 20.4 million head – the lowest annual level since available records began in 1885.
Substantial declines were also registered through 2019-20 in SA (10.190 million head) and WA (13.650 million head), with each states flock falling 4.3% and 4.6%, respectively, from the previous year. In contrast, better seasonal conditions in Victoria through 2019-20 enabled its flock to expand, predominantly through purchasing NSW and SA lines, increasing by 8.6%, to 15.1 million head.
With the flock firmly into a rebuilding phase since the breaking of the drought, there is anticipated to be significant flock growth by June 2021. However, the emphasis upon meat production in recent decades has enabled the sheep and lamb industry to maximise its output value – see Australian Lamb – From Rising Star to Star Performer.
Key numbers for the Australian sheep flock, as at June 2020.
Australia = 63.529 million head - lowest level since 1904
NSW = 20.4 million head – the lowest since available records began in 1885
Victoria = 15.152 head – up 8.6% on the previous year.
SA = 10.190 million head – lowest level since 2010
WA = 13.650 million head - lowest level since 1955
Tasmania = 2.161 million head – down 8.1% on the previous year
Queensland = 1.973 million head – lowest level since 2016 and second lowest since 1885