The cumulative throughput of cattle at beef export plants has dropped by 6%, figures from the Department of Agriculture show, as total throughput currently stands at 1.35m.

As of November 02, 2015, the cumulative national beef kill was back by 77,160 head on the corresponding period in 2014, figures from the Department of Agriculture show.

Total heifer throughput to Irish export plants has dropped by 4% or 14,029 head to November 2, 2015, compared to the same period in 2014.

The cumulative number of steers going to factories have increased on 2014 levels by 21,801 head, with 548,782 slaughtered to date in 2015.

There has also been a 32% reduction in the total young bull kill, with 41,074 fewer of these animals going to meat export plants in 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.

Figures from the Department of Agriculture also show that the total cow kill has also fallen by 35,565 and stands at 280,651 to date in 2015 while there has also been 8,601 fewer bull slaughterings.

Total beef kill

Weekly Beef Kill Differences

Last week’s national beef kill sits at 32,003, figures from the Department of Agriculture show, this is an increase of 1,950 head from the week commencing October 26, 2015.

Steer throughput has decreased by 93 head on the previous week and stood at 14,687, this is a drop of 1%.

Figures from the Department of Agriculture also show that there were 7,760 heifers slaughtered last week, which is a fall of 945 from the week commencing October 26.

There has been a 30% increase in young bull slaughterings and 2,520 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 6,412 head, but the numbers of bulls coming forward have decreased by 5% or 25 head on the previous week.

Beef Kill 0211

Factory Trade

Early quotes from the country’s beef plants indicate that there has been little movement in the prices quoted for prime cattle, but the prices paid for cull cows have slipped slightly.

The most recent quotes from the beef plants indicate that farmers are being offered 390-395c/kg for base steers on the Quality Payment Scheme.

The prices offered for heifers also remain similar to last weeks levels with plants offering 400-405c/kg for these lots.

Cull cow prices have slipped slightly on last week’s prices by 10c/kg, with processors sitting a 340-375/kg.