The number of cattle slaughtered in August 2016 jumped by 11.5% when compared to the same time in 2015, recent figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show.

In August of this year, a total of 148,200 cattle were slaughtered in Irish plants, up by 15,300 head or 11.5% on the same month in 2015.

Meanwhile, the number of cattle sent to slaughter between January and August of this year increased by 2.6% compared to the same period in 2015.

The rise in cattle supplies coincides with a fall in beef prices, as beef prices have come under increased pressure due to higher cattle supplies caused by inclement weather in the west.

And as a result, procurement managers have moved to ease beef prices in recent weeks, with most now working off a base price of 370c/kg for steers and 380c/kg for heifers.

While many processors based west of the Shannon are working off a base price of 365c/kg for steers and 375c/kg for heifers.

slaughter

Slaughter figures (‘000 head) Source: SCO

With regards to sheep slaughterings, the number of sheep sent to slaughter fell by 3.7% for the month of August, compared to August 2015.

Despite there being 10,200 less sheep killed in August of this year, a marginal increase of 0.7% has been recorded for the first eight months of the year, the CSO figures show.

At the moment most plants are offering a base price of 460c/kg for new season lamb, while the base price for suitable cast ewes stands at between 230-240c/kg.

Looking at pig throughput, the number of pigs sent to slaughter in August increased by 11.1% compared to the same month on 2015.

While, official figures from the CSO also show that pig slaughterings are up 4.5% between January and August in 2016 on the corresponding time in 2015.