Irish farmers have registered 823,026 newborn calves so far this year, compared with 805,145 during the same period last year. The number of calf registrations has surged ahead of 2017 figures in the past week, after lagging behind since the start of this year.

The recent increase is attributable to more dairy calves being registered. In the past week alone, these numbered 108,499 – nearly 3% more than the same week last year, despite the recent disruption caused by Storm Emma.

There are now nearly 23,000 extra dairy calves registered so far this year compared with the same date last year.

Meanwhile, beef registrations remain slower than last year, with 138,738 so far compared with 143,653 in 2017.

The number of calves registered as pedigree animals is down 10%.

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