Total calf registrations have surpassed the two million head mark according to figures from the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF).

In total, 2,022,120 calves have been registered to date this year, which is an increase of over 56,100 head when compared to this time last year.

Taking a closer look at the figures, we can see that 6,506 dairy calves were registered during the week ending July 3, 2020 – a decrease of 361 head on the corresponding week in 2019.

1,378,530 dairy calves have been registered so far this year – an increase of over 48,516 head when compared to the same period in 2019.

Looking at suckler calf registrations in more detail, during the week ending July 3, 2020, some 14,618 beef calves were registered – a decrease of 1,101 head on the same week in 2019.

The total number of suckler calves registered so far this year stands at 643,590 head. In the corresponding time-frame in 2019, some 635,945 beef calves were registered.

When combined, total calf registrations – both suckler and dairy – for the week ending July 3 are running behind last year’s levels. During the week ending July 3, 2020, 21,124 calves had been registered – a decrease of 1,462 head when compared to the same period in 2019.

Calf registrations up to and including the week ending July 3, 2020:

  • Beef births: 643,590 head (+7,645 head);
  • Dairy births: 1,378,530 head (+48,516 head);
  • Total births: 2,022,120 head (+56,161 head).