As St. Patricks day approaches, so does the one million mark for calf registrations. Currently calf registrations are 44,166 ahead of last year’s figure, with a total of 996,574 calves registered since the beginning of 2021.
Concerns still remain about what will happen these calves as prices being paid for calves in marts have fallen and exports are also falling behind due to the lack of demand for calves on the continent. Calf trade: Shipping calves receive a setback in price again
The week ending March 12, saw some 124,564 calves being registered, which is actually a decrease compared to last year’s figure for the same time period, when 132,021 calves were registered.
The latest figures from the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) show that there has been a 5.88% increase on last year’s figure – with 847,103 head of dairy calves born so far compared to 798,701 head for the same period in 2020.
Weekly Breakdown
Taking a closer look at the figures, we can see that 101,025 dairy calves were registered during the week-ending March 12, 2021 – a decrease of 1,736 head on the corresponding week in 2020.
Looking at suckler calf registrations in more detail, during the week ending March 12, 2021, some 23,539 beef calves were registered – a decrease of 5,721 head on the same week in 2020.
The total number of suckler calves registered so far this year stands at 149,471 head. During the same period in 2020, some 153,707 beef calves were registered.
When combined, total calf registrations – for both suckler and dairy – are still running ahead of last year’s levels.
During the week ending March 12, 2021, a tally amounting to 124,564 head of calves had been registered – a decrease of 7,457 head when compared to the same period in 2020.
- Beef births: 149,471 head (-4,236 head);
- Dairy births: 847,103 head (+48,402 head);
- Total births: 996,574 head (+44,166 head).