Beef throughput continues to exceed all expectations with last week’s kill rising by a further 703 head to total 40,529.

This is the highest kill in almost 10 years, since the week ending 11 October 2008 reached 40,675. The latest increase is being underpinned by heifer throughput continuing on a sharp upward trend, rising 738 head to 11,532.

There were also marginal increases in cow (up 286 to 9,143 head) and bull (up 144 to 5,684 head) throughput. Steer throughput fell by 390 head to 13,586 head.

The higher weekly throughput continues to push the annual kill to levels not seen for 14 to 15 years. Total throughput for the year to date now stands at 1,619,430, a jump of over 96,000 head on the same period in 2016.

As the graph below shows, the beef kill is already on track to easily exceed throughput levels for the last 10 years.

If throughput continues in the same vein, total throughput will hit over 1.73m head, making it the largest kill since 2003.

The higher kill is being driven by a number of factors. Earlier housing in some parts of the country is now leading to cattle being finished earlier, which is particularly the case for heifers.

There are also higher numbers of dairy-bred Angus and Hereford heifers and steers in the system which are finishing younger and at lighter weights. Furthermore, bull throughput is rising seasonally while cow throughput is holding strong.

The high cow throughput is stemming from a larger dairy herd and reports of higher culling in the suckler herd.

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Beef prices: beef kill hits new heights

In pictures: steady trade for quality cattle at Balla Mart