There has been a notable increase in the number of cattle moving north for further breeding and production on local farms.
That is the conclusion of the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC), following its analysis of data from the APHIS.
During June 2020, there was a total of 3,836 cattle imported from the ROI for further breeding and production in NI.
This, it outlined, takes the total for the year to date to 17,297 head, representing a significant increase from the 11,932 cattle imported during the corresponding six-month period last year.
Males
“The largest majority of male cattle being imported from ROI will be intended for further production on local farms before being processed in local plants.”
During June 2020, there were 928 male cattle aged over 42 days imported from ROI which takes the total for the year to date to 2,891 head.
In June 2019, just 393 male cattle aged over 42 days were imported, bringing the total for the first six months of 2019 to 1,515 head.
Females
“From the data available, it is not possible to differentiate between female cattle being imported for breeding and those being imported for beef finishing.”
There has, however, been a strong increase in imports of female cattle during 2020 to date.
In June 2020, there were 2,234 female cattle aged over 42 days imported from ROI for breeding and production, up from 790 head in June 2019.
During 2020 to date 9,479 female cattle aged over 42 days have been imported from ROI, up from 7,190 head in the same period in 2019.
