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Exports beef up cattle numbers

Exports beef up cattle numbers

There are signs WA cattle numbers are on the way up as producers look to meet growing demand from processors and live exporters.

Live cattle exports from WA jumped 56 per cent to 305,000 head in 2013-14 and beef exports increased 5 per cent on the previous year.

The industry generated almost $350 million in exports, including $236 million from live trade.

Department of Agriculture and Food WA research officer Kimbal Curtis said producers appeared to be beefing up because the number of cows and heifers sent for processing was much lower than in previous years. Mr Curtis said more cattle were trucked into WA than left for interstate for the first time in five years.

The moves came after the WA herd dipped below two million head last year.

DAFWA's latest beef commentary shows about 411,000 cattle were processed in WA in 2013-14. A third of the WA- produced beef was exported and the rest sold on the domestic market.

Exports to China have increased 20-fold over the past five years to 2100 tonnes in 2013-14 but it is well behind markets in Japan, Korea and the US.

Mr Curtis said Andrew Forrest's investment in Harvey Beef, which services the Chinese market, had helped to inject confidence into the local industry.

He said WA producers were in a strong position in the wake of destocking on cattle properties in the Northern Territory and Queensland after a run of poor seasons.

Supply is expected to dry up once conditions improve and properties rebuild herds.