The cow kill continues to reach new heights, with last week’s throughput increasing by an additional 322 head and recorded at 11,115.

The kill figure is the highest weekly record in over 20 years and is running 2,460 head higher than the corresponding week in 2021.

The appetite for cows reflects the strong demand for manufacturing beef and the fact that factories are using cows to try and compensate for a continued tightening in the prime cattle kill.

This is most evident in last week’s throughput of bullocks falling by 1,216 head while the heifer kill fell by 74 head despite factory attempts to entice higher numbers forward.

The higher numbers of cows in the market are being underpinned by a number of factors. Continued expansion in the national dairy herd will continue to bring higher numbers of cull cows on to the market.

The recent spike in throughput has been amplified by adverse weather and tighter fodder supplies in dairy strongholds, encouraging some farmers to cull cows quickly. Some reports indicate numbers would potentially be higher were it not for the high milk price enticing some to milk cows on longer before culling.

The decline in the suckler herd is also adding to the high numbers. Some mart managers say the ending of the Beef Data and Genomics Programme is fuelling higher culling, with some elderly farmers slow to sign up to a suckler scheme for another five-year contract.

Higher farmgate prices and input costs are also an incentive to move on barren and poor-performing animals. Factory prices (from €3.80/kg for O grades to €4.80/kg for R grades) are running 50c/kg to 70c/kg ahead of the same period in 2021 and in the region of €1.30/kg ahead of 2020.

The live trade is also vibrant, with MartBids analysis showing continental cows averaging over €2.00/kg with top prices hitting €2.30/kg to €2.50/kg, while Friesian cows are averaging in the region of €1.50/kg to €1.70/kg.