Increase in Irish breeding herd

THE Central Statistics Office’s June Livestock Survey indicates that the Irish beef breeding herd has risen for the second year running. Beef cows increased by more than 2%, and beef replacement heifers by 3%, according to the survey.

Dairy cows increased marginally, reaching 1.16m of a total breeding herd of 2.81m, and a total cattle herd of 7.04m.

Replacement dairy heifers have increased by 7% since June 2003. Yearling males are down almost 4%, reflecting a strong live trade to Holland in 2003.