Australian beef production during the past financial year has declined by one percent year on year, according to Meat & Livestock Australia.
Production totalled 2.07 million tonnes carcase weight  in 2011-12.
The decline came despite an increase in average adult carcase weights across the majority of states over the same period.
MLA attributed the decline to a 2pc year-on-year fall in adult cattle slaughter, which reached 7.2 million head.
“The improved season, particularly in the first half of the fiscal year, encouraged producers to retain breeding stock, with female slaughter back 7pc for the year,” MLA said.
“Illustrating the retention rate of females, compared to the previous five year average, female slaughter rates in 2011-12 were back 15pc, or 552,000 head.”
Average carcase weights increased to a new record of 288kg/head in 2011-2012, reflecting the better seasons and feed conditions.
That was 2pc higher year-on-year and 5pc, or 15kg/head cwt, above the five-year average.
Average carcase weights in Queensland reached a new high during the same period, rising 2pc year-on-year and surpassing 300kg/head cwt for the first time, settling at 302kg/head cwt.