LMC Report: Decline In Beef Slaughtering In July

NORTHERN IRELAND, UK - The Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC) reports a significant decline in beef slaughterings and production in July.

15 August 2011

2 minute read

Europe

The Northern Ireland red meat processing industry experienced a significant decline in availability of stock during July 2011 and this tighter supply will have made a significant contribution to the increase in prices paid at the farmgate over the course of the last month.

During the month of July, when factories might have expected to see an easing in the tight supply situation with more cattle coming off grass, total supplies were down by 20 per cent on July 2010 levels.

The supply situation would have been significantly worse were it not for an increase in the cow kill which was 17 per cent higher than last July.

The young bull kill which was very high last year, is 50 per cent lower this July, with the steer kill down by 15 per cent on last year and the heifer kill down by 18 per cent. In total the prime cattle kill is 27 per cent lower than last July.

For the year to date, the total cattle kill is five per cent lower than last year, with the prime cattle kill down by eight per cent.

This decline has had a significant impact on NI beef production. With average weights up for prime cattle, prime beef production is down by seven per cent. However, the decline in total beef production reflects the decline in slaughterings with output down by five per cent over the course of the year to date.