THE March 2025 quarter cattle on feed numbers released last week continue to show growth in the grainfed sector, despite some strong quarterly turnoff figures for the start of the year.

There was almost 1.5 million head of cattle on feed reported for Q1, 2025 and the capacity of national feedlots dipped marginally, taking the national utilisation ratio from 87.5pc in Q4, 2024 to 90pc in Q1, 2025.

A reduction in longer fed cattle over the last few quarters (particularly Wagyu) has seen the average number of days on feed continue to ease down from 172 days in 2023 to 164 days in 2024. As at Q1, 2025 the average number of days on feed has dropped further to sit at an average of 159 days.

Cattle turnoff has started the 2025 season in a strong fashion with 858,613 grainfed cattle marketed, this is the strongest start to the season since Q1, 2020 for cattle turnoff from Australian feedlots.

Compared to Q1, 2024 this turnoff is almost 13pc higher and it sits 16pc above the five-year average turnoff levels for the first quarter of the year.

Comparing Q1 turnoff for grain finished versus grass finished cattle the ratio of grainfed has lifted from 37.9pc in 2024 to 39.5pc in 2025.

Historically the grainfed ratio lifts as the industry enters into herd rebuild phases and the trend appears to be turning for the grainfed ratio in 2025 towards the possibility of a rebuild phase beginning later in 2025 or 2026.

However, as it stands presently, the female slaughter ratio remains in liquidation territory.

Source: Episode 3