A total of 338,378 beef-sired calves were registered in NI during 2015, which equates to 25,560 more registrations or an 8% increase on 2014 levels, according to figures published today by the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC).
An increase in both the dairy and suckler herd in 2015 explains the sharp increase in calf registrations. DARD’s agricultural survey published in June stated that the dairy herd in NI had record high numbers at 311,500 head, 6% higher than the previous year. The suckler herd increased to 260,300 head, which was a 2% increase from 2014.
During the first half 2016, the LMC states that the number of prime cattle coming forward for slaughter is expected to remain relatively steady, with increases anticipated after this due to the rise in calf registrations over the past 18 months.
In December 2015, there were 90,679 beef-sired cattle aged six months or younger on NI farms, which is 9.7% higher than last year’s levels. Likewise, 226,456 beef-sired cattle aged six to 12 months and 102,868 cattle aged 12 to 18 months on NI farms in December equates to a 7.9% and a 10.8% increase on last year’s levels respectively.
Cattle aged from 18 to 24 months on NI farms last month was similar to last year’s levels and numbers of cattle over 24 months old last month was 3.9% less than in December 2014.
Dairy herd
The total number of beef-sired calves from dairy cows was 96,858 in 2015, which is an increase of 14% compared with last year’s levels. Dairy-sired male calves, which are also used by the industry for beef, remained steady last year at 89,447 head registered.
A 5.5% increase in the number of dairy-sired male calves on NI farms last month compared with one year earlier is explained by a decrease in the number of calves exported out of NI last year at 19,916 head, which is 19% lower than 2014 levels.
The most popular beef sires used on NI farms have remained the same. In total, 29.5% of beef-sired calves registered in 2015 were Limousin, with 25.5% Charolais and 17.3% Aberdeen Angus.
The LMC reports that Aberdeen Angus, Limousin and Hereford continued to be the most popular breeds of beef-sired calves from the dairy herd in 2015.
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Roundup of news from Northern Ireland
A total of 338,378 beef-sired calves were registered in NI during 2015, which equates to 25,560 more registrations or an 8% increase on 2014 levels, according to figures published today by the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC).
An increase in both the dairy and suckler herd in 2015 explains the sharp increase in calf registrations. DARD’s agricultural survey published in June stated that the dairy herd in NI had record high numbers at 311,500 head, 6% higher than the previous year. The suckler herd increased to 260,300 head, which was a 2% increase from 2014.
During the first half 2016, the LMC states that the number of prime cattle coming forward for slaughter is expected to remain relatively steady, with increases anticipated after this due to the rise in calf registrations over the past 18 months.
In December 2015, there were 90,679 beef-sired cattle aged six months or younger on NI farms, which is 9.7% higher than last year’s levels. Likewise, 226,456 beef-sired cattle aged six to 12 months and 102,868 cattle aged 12 to 18 months on NI farms in December equates to a 7.9% and a 10.8% increase on last year’s levels respectively.
Cattle aged from 18 to 24 months on NI farms last month was similar to last year’s levels and numbers of cattle over 24 months old last month was 3.9% less than in December 2014.
Dairy herd
The total number of beef-sired calves from dairy cows was 96,858 in 2015, which is an increase of 14% compared with last year’s levels. Dairy-sired male calves, which are also used by the industry for beef, remained steady last year at 89,447 head registered.
A 5.5% increase in the number of dairy-sired male calves on NI farms last month compared with one year earlier is explained by a decrease in the number of calves exported out of NI last year at 19,916 head, which is 19% lower than 2014 levels.
The most popular beef sires used on NI farms have remained the same. In total, 29.5% of beef-sired calves registered in 2015 were Limousin, with 25.5% Charolais and 17.3% Aberdeen Angus.
The LMC reports that Aberdeen Angus, Limousin and Hereford continued to be the most popular breeds of beef-sired calves from the dairy herd in 2015.
Read more
Roundup of news from Northern Ireland
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