Bovine birth registrations for the year to date are running at 1.82m head, equating to an increase of 28,772 calves or a 1.6% rise. Births to dairy dams account for almost 77% of all calvings and at 1.4m head are running 15,503 head, or 1.1%, higher compared to the corresponding period in 2025.

The number of beef birth registrations is up by a smaller numerical figure of 13,269 head, to reach 422,588, and a higher percentage increase of 3.2%. Birth registrations of beef cows are markedly different than in 2025, when registration were running upwards of 20,000 to 30,000 head lower.

An increase in cattle prices in 2025 and improved producer sentiment is said to have at least temporarily halted a sharp downward trend, where more than 200,000 cows exited the sector over the last decade.

Meanwhile, the number of pedigree registrations is running at 76,807 head, up almost 6,000 head compared to corresponding registrations in 2025.