The national beef kill is running just over 48,000 head behind the corresponding period last year, figures from the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine’s official beef database show.
So far this year, 1,267,366 head has been processed in DAFM-approved plants compared to 1,315,370 head during the same period in 2022.
This includes:
- 89,483 young bulls (A);
- 21,369 bulls (B);
- 491,184 steers (C);
- 281,627 cows (D);
- 351,892 heifers (E);
- Veal V – 30,557;
- Veal Z – 1,254.
Meanwhile, last year’s throughput figures for this period were as follows:
- 100,975 young bulls (A);
- 21,718 bulls (B);
- 511,172 steers (C );
- 289,087 cows (D);
- 363,102 heifers (E);
- Veal V – 28,062;
- Veal Z – 1,254.
Comparing the two periods, the young bull kill is down by 11,492 head so far this year, while the bull throughput is back by 349 head and the steer kill is running 19,988 head back on the previous year.
In addition, 7,460 fewer cows have been slaughtered in DAFM-approved plants this year, compared to 2022 levels, and the heifer kill is back by a further 11,210 head.
Meanwhile, the Veal V kill is up by 2,495 head and the Veal Z throughput remains at the same figure.
Last week’s throughput
The most recent set of throughput figures available from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s beef classification and price reporting division is for the week commencing September 18th, 2023.
The overall kill sat at 35,368 head, comprising 1,066 young bulls, 438 bulls, 17,319 steers, 7,117 cows, 9,364 heifers, 40 Veal – V and 24 Veal – Z.
This compares to 37,307 head during the corresponding week 38 in 2022, with the kill consisting of 1,840 young bulls, 553 bulls, 18,326 steers, 6,931 cows, 9,615 heifers, 29 Veal – V and 13 Veal – Z.
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