The cattle kill in NI for the incoming winter looks set to increase significantly compared with last year, according to the latest forecast numbers from the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC).

Data from the LMC shows that there were an additional 8,000 cattle between 18 and 24 months of age on NI farms in July 2017, representing a 7.8% rise year on year.

Cattle in this age bracket are expected to come on to the market over the next six months with beef-sired dairy-bred cattle making up a large part of the increase.

However, it is expected that these animals will come on to the market in a gradual manner, avoiding a short-term glut of cattle that would negatively affect price.

Cattle aged between 24 and 30 months of age totalled 124,677 as of July 2017, an increase of 6,500 head or 5.6% on last year.

Most of the cattle within this age bracket that are still on farms will come on to the market between now and the end of the year.

Demand in Britain

While cattle forecasts show a potential increase in domestic supply, the outlook in Britain appears very different.

Industry analysts forecast a 2% decrease in the volume of beef to be processed this winter, partly due to a trend in lighter carcases.

The throughput of beef cows in Britain, a key component in manufacturing beef, is expected to drop by around 8%.

In Scotland, the beef kill has been declining year on year and is currently at levels last seen in mid-1999.

Demand for beef remains strong in Britain which could help underpin NI prices this winter as domestic cattle bridge the supply gap within the UK.