74,000 fewer bullocks to kill in 2005

WHILE the slide in beef prices at the factories has continued this week, the latest cattle statistics indicated a decline of 74,000 head in the supply of bullocks for slaughter this year.

According to the Cattle Movement Monitoring Scheme, the number of males in the 12 to 24 month category were 8% lower at the end of 2004, 74,000 head fewer, which is reflected in the supply of beef cattle, and should leave the fat cattle supply available for the remainder of the year lower than the same period in 2004.

Intake so far this year is down 8% and, based on the CMMS figures, this pattern should continue for the remainder of the year.