Cattle profits running hot and getting hotter

Beef cattle field _ image

Every year Agriculture Victoria conduct benchmarking across a number of livestock producers across the state. With over 50 years of data for Western Victoria and 12 for Northern Victoria and Gippsland it’s an interesting study in the profitability of livestock farms. The report for the 2020-21 financial year has recently been released.

It will come as no surprise for readers to find out that 2020-21 was a good year for cattle producers. In Northern Victoria it was the best year in 12 years of data, while in Gippsland it was the second best over 12 years.

As a measure of the year we are using Gross Margin per hectare in real terms, which came in at $869 in Western Victoria, $525 in Northern Victoria and $691 in Gippsland. Figure 1 shows that after the dip in 2019-20, caused by lower prices and a poor season, cattle gross margins bounced back strongly.

The amount of rainfall received seemed to correlate strongly with gross margins across the regions. Western Victoria had a good season, while Northern Victoria is normally drier, and hence had lower gross margins per hectare. Gippsland’s season can vary widely across the survey area, but in general it was ok and this was reflected in strong gross margins.

The average price of cattle sold in 2020-21 came in at $1,884 in Western Victoria, a 26% increase on 2019-20 in real terms. In Northern Victoria the average cattle sale price was $1,938, up 41%, while in Gippsland the price was $1,858, up 39%. This didn’t equate to the same rise in gross margin, possibly due to more cattle being retained on farm to rebuild herds.

Costs aren’t broken down by enterprise in the report, but overall enterprises average variable and fixed costs were relatively steady. Lower costs are part of the reason why the Western Victoria gross margin was so strong in 2017-18.

Figure 2 shows how average real sale price has equated to real gross margin over the 50 years of Western Victorian data. In 2020-21 the price vs gross margin was well above the trend line, as have been the past couple of years. This is explained by higher ¢/kg prices encouraging growers to spend more to produce more beef, which makes sense in terms of maximizing returns.

What does it mean?

Cattle businesses were very profitable last financial year, and are set to have an even better year in 2021-22. We all know cattle prices have been on the rise since early 2020, and this should result in even stronger profitability for Victorian cattle producers this financial year.

Have any questions or comments?

We love to hear from you!

Print This Post

Key Points

  • The Livestock Farm Monitor Project shows it was a very profitable year for cattle producers.
  • The good results were consistent across Victoria, due to strong prices.
  • Cattle producers are likely to enjoy and even better year in 2021-22.

Click on figure to expand

Click on figure to expand

Data sources: LFMP

Make decisions with confidence- ask about our board packs, bespoke forecasting and risk management services

Have any questions or comments?

We love to hear from you!
Cattle in feedlot
Cattle

Lotfeeders making hay

The cattle lotfeeding sector has been experiencing huge growth over the last few years. The September quarter saw growth in cattle on feed (COF) numbers

Read More »

Want market insights delivered straight to your inbox?

Sign up to the mailing list to get regular updates to new analysis and market outlooks

Independent analysis and outlook for wool, livestock and grain markets delivered to you as it’s published

Commodity conversations podcast cover image, a illustration of a sheep standing on a cow's back with grain either side
Listen to the podcast

Join the Mecardo team for the Commodity Conversations podcast, where we provide short weekly market recaps and longer conversations with guests to discuss the drivers and trends in livestock, grain and fibre markets.

Photo of a farmer surrounded by Merino sheep in dusty yards
Research: Analysis of the Australian sheep flock

In this report for LiveCorp and MLA, we analysed the historical trends in the demographics of the Australian sheep flock, examining domestic factors that influence farm-level enterprise decision making. 

Image of harvested grain pouring into a chaser bin
SERVICES AND CAPABILITIES STATEMENT BROCHURE

We don’t just bring you the most up to date market insights. Find out more about Mecardo’s services including risk management advisory, modelling, benchmarking, research & consultancy.