Carcass weights increase in 2005

Marts: An increase in the average weight of cattle slaughtered this year is set to reduce by at least half any expected deficit in beef production for 2005 resulting from the lower number of cattle slaughtered.

All categories of cattle slaughtered at the meat plants are showing an increase in the average weight, indicating producers are retaining animals for longer on farms, following the ending of the Cattle Census Date criteria for production supports which came into effect ad from January 1 last under the Single Payment System.

Analysis for the year by Board Bia indicates supplies are unlikely to far exceed the 1.6 million head mark this year - total slaughtered last year was 1.76m - with the lower intake a pattern of the trade since the beginning of the year.