Analysis by the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC) shows that beef carcase weights at slaughter in 2026 are the highest they have been in over 10 years.

A combination of tight numbers on the ground, competitively priced grain and some factories willing to waive any penalties on heavy cattle mean it has paid finishers to take animals to higher weights. Falling beef prices when combined with expensive stores have also added to the issue, with finishers looking to maximise weight in any hope of securing a positive margin.

To mid-August 2026, steers at slaughter have averaged 372.4kg, up 3.7% on the 359.1kg over the same period in 2025. Heifers at slaughter have averaged 329.2kg compared to 318.7kg last year. Young bulls are up 10kg to 355.2kg.

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The data suggest these 2026 carcase weights are likely to be the highest in NI for many years. The Irish Farmers Journal dataset goes back to 2014, when steers at slaughter averaged just 347.3kg, with heifers at 311.9kg and young bulls at 330.7kg.

However, with dairy animals making up an increasing proportion of the cow kill, the weights at slaughter of cull cows have been going in the opposite direction. To mid-August 2026, cows have averaged 296.1kg, down from 298.2kg last year. Back in 2014, cull cows averaged 308.9kg at slaughter.

Total tonnes

Across the first half of 2026, the prime kill stood at 181,868, down 6.7% on the corresponding period in 2025. However, a 12.5kg increase in the average slaughter weight of prime cattle, taking it to 351.9kg, has helped offset the lower numbers. According to LMC analysis, local factories processed 63,992t by the end of June 2026, a decrease of 2,130t or 3.2% on the 2025 figure.

Market

Meanwhile, beef prices are generally steady this week, with deals for U-3 cattle around the 600p/kg mark. See p63.