Tightening finished cattle supplies sees beef kill down 15%

The national beef kill fell 15% last week on the same week last year as the anticipated tightening in Irish finish cattle supplies begins to take affect.

According to latest figures from the Department of Agriculture last week the National beef kill totalled 27,649 down over 5,000 head on the same week 12 months ago.

Latest data from the countries meat plants also shows that the heifer kill in particular was much lower compared to the same week last year down over 1,800 head. Meanwhile the steer kill was relatively unchanged on the same week last year down by less than 600 head.

Bord Bia has said that an increase of almost 50,000 head in live cattle exports in 2013 combined with a drop of more than 100,000 head in calf registrations point to a significant tightening in finished cattle supplies in 2015.

In its outlook for the beef sector in 2015 it said these developments would leave export availability standing at around 480,000t, a drop of more than 8%.

Prices up 5c/kg

On that back of numbers being tighter the IFA has said that cattle prices have risen by 5c/kg.

In its latest beef price update it said factories are paying 5-10c/kg above quotes this week.

IFA cattle price update

• Steer base €4.15/kg-€4.20/kg.
• Heifers €4.20/kg-€4.30/kg.
• Bulls €3.90/kg-€4.05/kg-€4.20/kg-€4.30/kg.
• Cows €3.50/kg-€4.05/kg.