Survey of beef cattle producers to better understand factors influencing cattle movements from an exotic disease modelling perspective

Abstract

In late 2008 a survey of beef cattle producers was undertaken to gain a clearer picture of how, why and when producers buy, sell, and move cattle, provide an insight into what influences on-farm decision making and to assist in the development of a simulation model for (modelling) cattle movements. The survey was targeted at beef producers in central and southern inland Queensland and north-western New South Wales.

The survey was part of a project funded by the Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. The project focussed on utilising animal movement data from the National Livestock Identification System for 2006 and 2007 in the development of a national-scale spatial simulation model that would be used by national and state animal health agencies as a decision-support tool to assess and manage emerging animal disease threats.

Major highlights arising from the study were that over half of the respondents were beef-only enterprises, with the remainder mixed enterprises (sheep and or cropping), and were predominantly in the breeding and growing production sector. The number of cattle movements, for farms having greater than 50 head, was not related to herd size. The most common movements other than buying or selling cattle were to a property owned by the producer close by (32%) or between properties for agistment (20%). Most types of cattle (cows, bulls, steers, etc) were sold within a few hundred kilometres of the property. The two main factors influencing when to sell cattle were reaching a target weight or matching a buyer/processor’s specification. Pasture availability, current prices and availability of suitable stock were also important factors.