Confusion over cattle supply forecast

Marts: The recent revision downwards of the cattle supply forecast to the end of the year by Bord Bia has led to some confusion on the actual predicted supply situation by some sectors.

The downward revision of the predicted supply of cattle to the end of the year is a seasonal correction in the expected increase in supply over the final quarter of this year over 2003 intake, because of a number of factors, not least being the ending of the EU premia scheme on a headage basis.

All of the indicators suggest that cattle supplies will remain strong for the remaining weeks of this year as producers sell stock that might normally be carried over to the New Year, to benefit from the €80/head Slaughter Premium which ends on December 31.