Cattle throughput to Irish meat export plants is back by over 57,000 head compared to the same time last year, according to figures from the Department of Agriculture.
This year’s national beef kill for the week commencing September 21, has fallen by 4.7% with the kill currently sitting at 1.16m. This represents a reduction of 57,047 head, down from 1.22m in 2014.
Cumulatively, heifer throughput so far this year is back by 6,994 head while the cumulative steer throughput has increased by almost 30,000 head
Last week’s total kill at export meat plants is also down on the same week in 2014, it currently sits at 30,575 which is a fall of 3,117 head.
Weekly heifer throughput to Irish export plants has also dropped on 2014 levels. The total heifer kill for the week commencing September 21 stood at 7,056, which is a fall of 971 on 2014 levels.
The number of steers going to factories for last week (commencing September 21) was back just over 1,647 head from the same week last year.
The weekly cow kill has fallen by 383, however the only increase in throughput occurred in the mature bulls which increased by 43 head.
Beef trade
Despite relative stability in the quotes factories are offering for prime beef, the prices offered for cull cows have dropped by 5-10c/kg on previous weeks.
The majority of beef plants are now quoting 390c/kg for base steers with some offering quotes as low as 385c/kg for these lots.
Some plants are now quoting 390c/kg for heifers, but the majority of plants are holding prices at 400c/kg.
A number of plants are now sitting at 350/kg for R grade cows, with these quotes down 10c/kg on last week when plants offered 360c/kg.
The plainer type dairy culls have also fallen slightly with plants quoting 340/kg for the O type lots.
The poorer P type cows have also slipped by approximately 5c/kg and are now making 330c/kg.