Total kill for 2006 rises 5%

Marts: End-of-year returns show the total kill for 2006 was up 85,000 head on the previous 12 months, equivalent to an increase of over 5%.

Heifers recorded the largest percentage increase at more than 15% to 417,978 head, compared to 362,277 head for 2005. The throughput of cows was almost 5% higher at 358,295 head. The supply of bullocks was over 3% higher at 811,204 head compared to 785,462 for 2005.

The pattern for the year has shown a recovery of most of the decline experienced in 2005, when the throughput at the beef export plants dropped by more than 6%.

The increase in supply did not deter the strong prices for most of the year, which were helped by the restrictions on imports from Brazil and Argentina. Prices paid for bullocks and heifers were on average between 7% and 8% higher than the previous year, while prices paid for cows showed an increase of 11%.

Looking to the year ahead, the signs point to a tight supply of finished cattle for the factories. The predictions are that cattle supplies will decline by 100,000 head as the full impact of decoupling takes effect.

CMMS data shows that calf registrations in 2005 dropped by 21,000 head and the number of animals in the 6-12 months category was down 80,000 head.

Live exports have continued to increase and were up 64,000 head last year, following an increase of 52,000 head in 2005.

IFA livestock chairman John Bryan said Britain will continue to be the main market for Irish beef, while a further 228,000 tonnes of beef will be exported to continental markets.

Exports to France are forecast to increase to 54,000 tonnes, while sales to Italy are forecast to rise to 51,000.

Sales to Holland are set to reach 45,000 tonnes, as are exports to Scandinavia.

One positive for producers is the ability of these markets to pay strong prices for a quality product.