Suckler calf registrations are recovering, but still running behind last year.

The week ending 11 April showed beef registrations 15% behind the same date last year, which is a major recovery since mid-March when a 25% drop in beef calf registrations was reported.

Dairy calf registrations saw a 2% rise against last year’s figures, or just shy of 16,000 animals.

This recovery in recent weeks means that the total calf births are back just 3%, or 35,000 animals. The recovery in the beef numbers is driven by later calving as a result of the fodder crisis this time last year.

The trend of reduced heifer introduction to the herd is continuing and this, combined with less cows, is also a factor in the recovery. However, the herd is still standing strong at 1.01 million suckler cows.

According to EBLEX data, similar trends are being experienced in Britain, with beef births to the end of February back 8% and dairy births back 5%.