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.

Cull cows were the exception to the trend of lower prices which affected all other categories. The average price paid for R grade bullocks was down by 2%, while the average paid for O grade fell by 4%, producers taking a cut of 3p/lb through the year.

Heifer prices fell by the same amount for R/O grades, while maintaining a lead of 1p/lb over the bullocks for R grade through the year. In contrast to the trend, cow prices were 4% higher than 2002, returning an average of over 2p/lb more.

On live exports, it was another good year for recovery in markets lost during the BSE/FMD outbreaks. Total live exports were 70% up at 217,220 head, which is still only half that of the live trade in 1999, which was the peak year for live export sales.

Calf exports increased to 63,000 head compared to 18,000 head for 2002 and exports of weanlings and stores were increased to 77,600 head compared to 48,251 head. Of the total exports, 84% went to Britain and Continental EU markets.