Industry data
Livestock statistics
The numbers behind Australian livestock: the cattle herd and sheep flock and the states that carry them, wool, pigs, meat and exports, the farm-gate value of livestock sold and of milk and wool, and the businesses that farm it. Each figure links to the agency or industry body that published it and shows the period it applies to.
Reviewed 17 October 2026
Key figures
- 29,706,693 cattle on Australian farms, as estimated by the ABS
- 65,795,821 sheep and lambs on Australian farms, as estimated by the ABS
- 1,545,759 tonnes of beef and veal exported
- 36.7 billion dollars farm-gate value of livestock and livestock products
- 253.9 million kg of greasy wool shorn, as estimated by the Australian Wool Production Forecasting Committee
Cattle numbers
How many cattle are on Australian farms, split into beef and dairy cattle, and where they are. The ABS no longer surveys farmers for herd numbers. It models them from calving, slaughter, live export and other data, so every herd figure here is an estimate.
29,706,693
cattle on Australian farms, as estimated by the ABS
ABS experimental estimate of beef and dairy cattle on holding, covering all cattle produced for commercial gain. The ABS rounds it to 29.7 million.
Link to this figure27,595,693
beef cattle
ABS experimental estimate. Includes calves, cows and heifers, and other beef cattle.
Link to this figure2,111,000
dairy cattle
ABS experimental estimate of the whole dairy herd, built from Dairy Australia's figures for cows in milk and dry plus an ABS estimate of the rest of the dairy herd.
Link to this figure2.5%
fall in the national cattle herd over the year
As published by the ABS, which revised its June 2024 estimate in the same release.
Link to this figure1.3 million
dairy cows in milk and dry
Dairy Australia's estimate for the 2024-25 year. The report dates this figure at 31 March 2025 in one table and at 30 June 2025 in another.
Link to this figure| State or territory | Cattle |
|---|---|
| Queensland | |
| New South Wales | |
| Victoria | |
| Western Australia | |
| Northern Territory | |
| South Australia | |
| Tasmania |
ABS experimental estimates. New South Wales includes the Australian Capital Territory.
Link to this chart| Year | Cattle |
|---|---|
| 2015 | |
| 2016 | |
| 2017 | |
| 2018 | |
| 2019 | |
| 2020 | |
| 2021 | |
| 2022 | |
| 2023 | |
| 2024 | |
| 2025 |
ABS experimental estimates of beef and dairy cattle at 30 June. For earlier years the ABS adjusted its past survey figures for beef cattle to fit its new model. Dairy cattle are modelled from 2023; earlier dairy figures are the ABS's past survey estimates.
Link to this chartSheep and lambs
How many sheep and lambs are on Australian farms, the breeding flock and where the sheep are. Like the cattle figures, these are ABS estimates, modelled from lambing, slaughter, export and other data rather than counted farm by farm.
65,795,821
sheep and lambs on Australian farms, as estimated by the ABS
ABS experimental estimate covering all sheep produced for commercial gain, included in the release on 31 August 2026. The ABS rounds it to 65.8 million.
Link to this figure8.0%
fall in the national sheep flock over the year
As published by the ABS, which revised its June 2024 estimate in the same release.
Link to this figure36,456,319
breeding ewes
Breeding ewes a year old and over, ABS experimental estimate.
Link to this figure30,836,971
lambs marked
Lambs marked during the year to 30 June 2025, ABS experimental estimate.
Link to this figure| State | Sheep and lambs |
|---|---|
| New South Wales | |
| Victoria | |
| Western Australia | |
| South Australia | |
| Queensland | |
| Tasmania |
ABS experimental estimates. New South Wales includes the Australian Capital Territory. This ABS release has no sheep figure for the Northern Territory.
Link to this chartWool
How much wool Australian sheep produce, from the Australian Wool Production Forecasting Committee, which brings together growers, wool brokers, exporters, processors, testing bodies and government agencies. Its figures for the season just finished are estimates, and its figure for the season ahead is a forecast.
253.9 million kg
of greasy wool shorn, as estimated by the Australian Wool Production Forecasting Committee
The committee's estimate for the season. Down 9.4% on the season before.
Link to this figure249.3 million kg
of greasy wool forecast to be shorn
A forecast, not a measured figure: the committee's second forecast for the season, made in August 2026.
Link to this figurePigs
Pig numbers, slaughter and pig meat production. The ABS last counted pigs on farms at its final Agricultural Census. Its quarterly survey of abattoirs gives current figures for pigs slaughtered and pig meat produced.
2,577,597
pigs on farms at the last ABS census
ABS estimate from the 2020-21 Agricultural Census, which covered businesses with an estimated value of agricultural operations of $40,000 or more.
Link to this figure5,740.7 thousand
pigs slaughtered
Commercial abattoirs only. The ABS says many on-farm and small producers are outside its collection, though coverage is high.
Link to this figure118,129 tonnes
of pig meat produced in the quarter
Seasonally adjusted, in carcase weight. Up 0.9% on the March quarter.
Link to this figureSlaughter, meat and exports
How many cattle, sheep and lambs go through Australian abattoirs, how much beef is produced and how much beef and sheep meat is sent overseas. Slaughter and production figures come from the ABS survey of commercial abattoirs. Export volumes come from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and are measured in shipped weight.
9,597.1 thousand
cattle slaughtered, not counting calves
Commercial abattoirs only. The ABS says many on-farm and small producers are outside its collection, though coverage is high.
Link to this figure22,075.3 thousand
lambs slaughtered
Commercial abattoirs only. The ABS says many on-farm and small producers are outside its collection, though coverage is high.
Link to this figure8,045.5 thousand
sheep slaughtered, not counting lambs
Commercial abattoirs only. The ABS says many on-farm and small producers are outside its collection, though coverage is high.
Link to this figure777,232 tonnes
of beef produced in the quarter
Beef from cattle other than calves, seasonally adjusted, in carcase weight. Up 3.4% on the March quarter.
Link to this figure1,545,759 tonnes
of beef and veal exported
Shipped weight. The same table gives 1,343,568 tonnes for 2024.
Link to this figure| Destination | Tonnes shipped weight |
|---|---|
| USA East | |
| China | |
| Japan | |
| South Korea | |
| USA West | |
| Indonesia |
The six largest single-destination rows in the department's destination table, shown as published, leaving out regional and overall totals. The department reports the United States as USA East, USA West and Hawaii rather than as one figure.
Link to this chartValue of livestock production
What livestock and livestock products were worth at the farm gate, from the ABS. The figures cover animals slaughtered or exported live, plus milk and wool sold.
36.7 billion dollars
farm-gate value of livestock and livestock products
ABS local value: the value at the farm gate, leaving out the cost of getting stock to market, such as transport, yard fees and commissions.
Link to this figure| Livestock or product | Farm-gate value in $m |
|---|---|
| Cattle and calves | |
| Milk | |
| Sheep and lambs | |
| Poultry | |
| Wool | |
| Pigs |
Millions of dollars at the farm gate. Cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry are animals slaughtered or exported live. Milk and wool are products sold. Other livestock are not shown.
Link to this chartLivestock farming businesses
How many businesses farm livestock as their main activity, from the ABS count of actively trading businesses. The count includes businesses with no employees.
37,233
beef cattle farming businesses with no employees
Non-employing in ABS terms: no active pay-as-you-go withholding role with a remittance to the ATO in the past five quarters, or three years for annual remitters. The ABS may slightly perturb class counts to protect confidentiality.
Link to this figure| Main activity | Businesses |
|---|---|
| Beef cattle farming | |
| Grain with sheep or beef cattle | |
| Sheep and beef cattle | |
| Sheep farming | |
| Dairy cattle farming | |
| Pig farming | |
| Beef cattle feedlots |
Businesses actively trading at 30 June 2025, by main activity: ANZSIC classes 0142 beef cattle farming, 0145 grain-sheep or grain-beef cattle farming, 0144 sheep-beef cattle farming, 0141 sheep farming, 0160 dairy cattle farming, 0192 pig farming and 0143 beef cattle feedlots. Poultry, deer, horse, beekeeping and other livestock farming classes are not shown. The ABS says class counts may be slightly perturbed to protect confidentiality.
Link to this chartCommon questions
How many cattle are there in Australia?
The ABS estimates there were 29,706,693 cattle on Australian farms, made up of 27,595,693 beef cattle and 2,111,000 dairy cattle. The national herd fell 2.5% over the year.
Which state has the most cattle?
Queensland, which the ABS says has the largest share of Australia's beef cattle. The chart of cattle by state above shows the ABS estimate for each state and territory.
How many sheep are there in Australia?
The ABS estimates there were 65,795,821 sheep and lambs on Australian farms, including 36,456,319 breeding ewes. The flock fell 8.0% over the year.
Which state has the most sheep?
New South Wales has the largest flock in the ABS estimates. The chart of sheep and lambs by state above shows the flock in each state.
How many pigs are there in Australia?
The ABS last counted pigs on farms at its final Agricultural Census, when there were 2,577,597 . It still counts pigs slaughtered: 5,740.7 thousand went through commercial abattoirs.
How many dairy cows are there in Australia?
Dairy Australia estimates there were 1.3 million dairy cows in milk and dry. The ABS figure of 2,111,000 dairy cattle covers the whole dairy herd, not just cows in milk and dry.
How much beef does Australia export?
Australia exported 1,545,759 tonnes of beef and veal, measured in shipped weight. The chart of beef and veal exports above shows the largest destinations in the department's table.
How big is the beef industry in Australia?
The ABS estimates there were 27,595,693 beef cattle on Australian farms, and 9,597.1 thousand cattle other than calves went through commercial abattoirs. Australia exported 1,545,759 tonnes of beef and veal. The farm-gate value chart above shows cattle and calves alongside other livestock.
How much wool does Australia produce?
The Australian Wool Production Forecasting Committee estimates 253.9 million kg of greasy wool was shorn. It forecasts 249.3 million kg for the season after.
Using these figures
You are welcome to quote any figure on this page. Please credit the original publisher named beside it, and link to this page if it saved you time. Each figure has its own link, so you can send readers straight to it.
How these figures are put together
Every figure on this page comes from the published source linked beside it and applies to the period shown with it. Figures are copied as published. Nothing is estimated, adjusted or combined from different sources.
Each figure is checked against its source when the page is reviewed, and the review date is shown at the top of the page. If a source publishes a newer figure before then, or you spot an error, let us know through the contact page.
Sources
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Australian Agriculture: Livestock, 2024-25 financial year. Experimental cattle herd and sheep flock estimates modelled by the ABS, and the value of livestock disposals and products. Released 28 April 2026, with updated sheep flock estimates for 2024-25 included on 31 August 2026. Updates: Annual. The next release date is not yet set. Retrieved 16 October 2026.
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Livestock products, June 2026. Quarterly survey of commercial abattoirs and meat processors, released 19 August 2026 (tables 9, 13 and 17). Updates: Quarterly. The September 2026 quarter is due on 17 November 2026. Retrieved 16 October 2026.
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Agricultural Commodities, Australia, 2020-21 financial year. 2020-21 Agricultural Census of businesses with an estimated value of agricultural operations of $40,000 or more, released 26 July 2022. Updates: Discontinued. The 2020-21 Agricultural Census was the last the ABS conducted, and the reduced 2021-22 edition had no new pig figures. Retrieved 16 October 2026.
- Australian Wool Production Forecasting Committee (AWPFC): Australian Wool Production Forecast Report, August 2026. Released 27 August 2026 by the committee, which is funded by Australian Wool Innovation. Draws on AWTA wool test data, AWEX auction data, ABS sheep and lamb turn-off and state committee input. Updates: Several times a year. Retrieved 16 October 2026.
- Dairy Australia: In Focus 2025: The Australian Dairy Industry. Dairy Australia industry figures for the 2024-25 year. Updates: Annual. Retrieved 16 October 2026.
- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry: Red meat export statistics 2025: calendar year comparison table and destination report, December 2025. Files 2512 ccom and 2512 c57dest, in tonnes shipped weight. Page last updated 13 March 2026. Updates: Monthly. Retrieved 17 October 2026.
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Counts of Australian Businesses, including Entries and Exits, July 2021 to June 2025 (data cube 2). ANZSIC classes 0141 to 0145, 0160 and 0192, released 16 December 2025. Updates: Annual. Industry class detail is released each December. A newer edition, July 2022 to June 2026, was released on 18 August 2026 without class detail, which is due on 18 December 2026. Retrieved 16 October 2026.
More reading: Farm machinery finance: the complete guide for operators
Financing equipment for your business?
One form, and free quotes matched to your kind of asset. Business and commercial use only.