How many cattle are there in Australia? We may be out by 10 million

Researchers say the ABS’s estimate of Australia’s cattle herd is likely incorrect, with implications for greenhouse gas emissions reporting. Photograph: Aston Brown/The Guardian

Australia has underestimated how many cattle it has by about 10 million, with significant implications for tracking greenhouse gas emissions, a Queensland researcher has said.

Cows’ methane-laden burps are responsible for the majority of greenhouse gas emissions emitted by the red meat sector, which has an aspirational goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Official estimates, published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, state there are 26 million beef and dairy cattle in Australia in 2024.