Descending trend in Irish beef calf registration
In the first half of the year, beef calf registration has decreased by 4% compared to the same period of 2017, according to recent figures released by the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF).
Nevertheless, this trend was first observed last year when compared figures between 2016 and 2017 revealed a decrease of 6% in beef calf registration or 19,822 head, reports Agriland magazine. In the recent months, beef farmers have been confronted with price cuts from meat processors. Compared to EU, Ireland beef prices achieved on a per head basis is placing the country on the sixth place. That could also explain the decrease in the numbers of beef calves observed this year.
By the end of June, the current number of beef calves registered this year was 637,059 head, a figure that reveals a drop of 26,905 head on the number witnessed in 2017.
At the same time, Irish farmers have more confidence in the dairy sector, as the number of calves registered at the same time increased by 41,701 head compared with the number registered last year. Looking at overall calf registrations (both beef and dairy) in 2018, some 1,929,749 calves have been registered – an increase of 14,796 head on 2017 levels.
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