6% rise in overall kill at factories

END-OF-YEAR returns show that the throughput of animals at the factories increased during 2003, while prices paid were lower for all classes with the exception of cull cows which were stronger than the previous year.

The overall kill increased by almost 6% to 1,762,495 head, an increase of 96,000 head, falling short of expectations for the year. Bullocks showed the biggest increase in volume, while the largest percentage increase was recorded for young bulls.

At 6.6% higher than 2002, the bullock kill of 918,791 head was up by 57,000 head. The number of young bulls increased by 36% to 54,000 head. The kill of heifers was up 3% at 431,901 head and cull cows were 4% higher at 335,008 head.