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Bull beef slaughterings hit five-year low
The proportion of young bulls in the prime cattle kill has fallen to its lowest level since 2015, DAERA statistics show. From January to the week ending 26 September, there were 26,886 bulls processed which accounts for 10.7% of the prime cattle kill.
During the same period last year, young bulls accounted for 14.3% of the prime kill, a marginal decrease from 14.4% in 2018. The 2020 figure is the lowest bull throughput since 2015 when 24,097 animals (10.4%) were processed.
Over the past decade, the general trend has seen a steady decline in young bulls being slaughtered from its peak level in 2010.
More than double
Back then, young bulls accounted for 20.2% of the annual prime kill and 21.5% of the prime cattle processed from January to the end of September, more than double the current level.
Reasons for the declining trend in bulls are varied. In recent years, the decline in suckler cow numbers has resulted in lower stocking rates on farms.
With fewer cows, this has freed up more ground suitable to carry steers, which many farmers see as being lower risk than bulls, as well as having more marketing options.
More recently, higher concentrate feed prices and lower beef prices during 2019 and early 2020 will have swayed farmers away from bull finishing.
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