An analysis of cull cow figures released by the Department of Agriculture shows throughput for the first seven months of the year falling by 8,533 head or 3.4% on 2022 levels.
The total kill figure of 249,605 head includes 163,440 dairy cows and 77,632 beef cows.
Dairy cow throughput reduced by a lower figure of 3,307 head, or 2%, when compared with 2022 figures, while the number of beef cows slaughtered fell by 5,226 or 3.2%.
On a percentage basis, dairy cows account for almost 68% of cull cow throughput.
This ratio has grown in recent years, as demonstrated in Figure 1, with dairy cows comprising just shy of 61% of cow throughput for the first seven months of 2019.
This is not surprising given growth in the dairy herd over the last decade.
Beef cow throughput has remained relatively level during this period, with some fluctuation evident from year to year.
Higher returns for cows in the last 18 months has also encouraged farmers to cull any problem cows bringing younger replacements into the herd.
Slaughter destination
Table 1 details a breakdown of the kill by destination and by month.
The number of cows slaughtered in local authority-approved processing plants has reduced on 2022 throughput, with over 2,600 fewer beef cows handled.
The number of dairy cows slaughtered in local authority approved plants remains unchanged.
Future forecasts
August has typically been one of the lowest months of the year for cow throughput, with September also typically recording low throughput levels.
The exception to this statement has been years where there have been significant weather challenges and reduced winter forage supplies on farms, with some farmers then moving to draft cows earlier.
If weather remains challenging over the coming weeks, then this could be a likely scenario, particularly if milk price remains under pressure.
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