The cumulative throughput of cattle at beef export plants has dropped by 5%, figures from the Department of Agriculture show, as total throughput currently stands at 1.38m.

As of November 9, 2015, the cumulative national beef kill was back by 72,224 head on the corresponding period in 2014, figures from the Department of Agriculture show.

Total heifer throughput to Irish export plants has dropped by 3% or 12,948 head to November 9, 2015, compared to the same period in 2014.

The cumulative number of steers going to factories have increased on 2014 levels by 23,968 head, with 563,031 steers slaughtered to date in 2015.

There has also been a 23% reduction in the total young bull kill, with 39,836 fewer of these animals going to meat export plants in 2015.

Figures from the Department of Agriculture also show that the total cow kill has also fallen by 35,097 and stands at 287,184 to date in 2015 while there has also been 8,515 fewer bull slaughterings.

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 Weekly Beef Kill Differences

Last week’s national beef kill sits at 32,017, figures from the Department of Agriculture show, this is a mere increase of 14 head from the week commencing November 2, 2015.

Steer throughput has decreased by 438 head on the previous week and stood at 14,249, this is a drop of 3%.

These figures also show that there were 7,980 heifers slaughtered last week, which is an increase of 220 from the week commencing November 2.

There has been a 9% increase in young bull slaughterings and 2,755 head went to factories over the previous week.

These figures also show that there has been an increase in cow slaughterings with the weekly kill standing at 6,533 head, but the numbers of bulls coming forward have decreased by 6% or 27 head on the previous week.

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Cull cows hardest with beef price cuts

The prices farmers are being offered for cull cows have dropped considerably over the last week with quotes back by 10c/kg.

However, reports from beef plants indicate that the prime cattle trade is remaining relatively stable with prices unchanged from last week.

According to factory procurement managers, the prices for cull cows have dropped for the second consecutive week with most processors now paying 340c/kg for R grade cows.

The dairy type P and O grade lots have also taken a hit and farmers are being offered 320c/kg and 330c/kg for these lots.