The number of beef-sired calves registered in NI has increased during the first nine months of 2026, according to the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC).

A total of 408,204 calves were registered between January and September this year, an increase of 2.9% compared to the same period last year. Beef-sired registrations have increased by 11,369 head to 316,012.

To the end of September there have been 180,112 beef calves born from suckler cows, which compares to 173,609 over the same period in 2025. Beef calves from dairy cows are up nearly 5,000 head at 135,900, while pure dairy calves are down by over 1,000 at 90,866.

Other data published by the LMC shows that total cattle numbers on NI farms at the start of October were up by 28,403 head or 1.7% when compared to the same time last year. Excluding dairy females, total cattle destined for beef production in NI is up 3.1% year on year.