Big increases in NI cattle kill

Although official figures are still to be confirmed for the last two weeks, the total cattle kill over the course of 2017 looks set to be the largest since 2012.

To the middle of December 2017, the total cattle kill of 431,163 is already ahead of that for all of 2016 (429,649). If we assume normal kill patterns to the end of this year, it is likely to finish around the 445,000 mark.

That includes around 332,000 prime cattle and approximately 103,500 cows.

The total cow figure is up from just under 100,000 in 2016, and is the highest cow kill since before the days of BSE in 1996.

Imports

While slaughterings in Northern Ireland are predominantly made up of local cattle, there has also been a significant increase in the number of cattle being imported for slaughter.

The biggest increase comes from cattle born in Britain and shipped to NI plants for processing.

To mid-December 2017, there have been 6,617 cattle imported from Britain, a rise of 141% on the same period last year, or an additional 3,866 cattle.

The bulk of these animals are cull cows which are used to meet demand for manufacturing beef at local plants.

With NI factories competing with counterparts in the Republic of Ireland, NI cow prices typically run 10p/kg to 20p/kg ahead of those in Britain. It means there is a margin to be made in importing slaughter-fit cows from Britain.

Exports

While imports are up, movement of cattle in the opposite direction has collapsed.

With a smaller price differential between NI cattle and those in Britain for the majority of this year, just 3,358 animals have been shipped from NI for slaughter at plants in Britain.

Last year, 6,019 cattle made the journey across the Irish Sea.

Ireland

Imports of slaughter cattle from the Republic of Ireland are at 11,172 to mid-December 2017, which is 7% higher than the corresponding figure of 10,441 in 2016.

Cattle moving in the opposite direction are down 24% from 11,450 in 2016 to 8,653 this year.

Sheep

However, Ireland is a crucial market outlet for the NI sheep sector, providing much-needed price competition.

Total exports of sheep for slaughter at southern plants are up slightly this year, to stand at 387,286 to mid-December, compared with 381,787 last year.

In the NI factories, the sheep kill for 2017 is likely to be little changed from last year, at around the 450,000 mark.