Beef Kill: February cattle supplies well up on last year
Latest figures from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) show that beef kill numbers for February 2025 remained above February 2024 supplies.
The strong cattle supply in January and throughout February has resulted in the cumulative beef kill to date this year (excluding veal) running 3,450 head above last year's supply.
This is despite Bord Bia projections earlier this year of an 8% decline in factory cattle supplies for the first quarter of 2025.
The graph below shows how 2025 weekly beef kill numbers have been comparing to 2024:
Continued price positivity in the beef trade is likely seeing more farmers bringing cattle out earlier to avail of the strong prices.
The cumulative supply of steers, heifers, and young bulls have all increased to date this year but cow supplies have fallen by over 7,000 head.
The table below gives an overview on the beef kill for the week ending Sunday, March 2, versus the same week of last year and the cumulative kill to date this year versus last year:
| Type | Week ending Sun, March 2 | Equivalent last year | Cumulative 2025 | Cumulative 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Young bulls | 2,303 | 2,557 | 26,915 | 26,570 |
| Bulls | 496 | 483 | 3,263 | 3,345 |
| Steers | 14,186 | 13,313 | 111,137 | 110,037 |
| Cows | 8,935 | 9,499 | 74,850 | 82,021 |
| Heifers | 12,807 | 11,069 | 106,590 | 97,332 |
| Total | 38,727 | 36,921 | 322,755 | 319,305 |
The total beef kill for this year is expected to drop by 70,000-90,000 head with the assumption that age at slaughter and live exports remain at similar levels.
Looking at average prices paid for cattle at factories nationwide, the average R=3= grade steer price in the week ending Sunday, March 2, was just under €6.94/kg with a top price of €7.08/kg paid for steers of that grade.
On cow prices, the average O=3= cow price in the week ending Sunday, March 2, was €6.09/kg with up to €6.41/kg paid for cows of that grade in that week.
