The cow kill in NI during the third quarter of the year is down 18% on the same period in 2024.

In the three months to the end of September 2025, a total of 24,206 cows have been slaughtered in NI, down 5,476 head on the 29,682 from 2024.

The largest decline was seen in July 2025, with a 24% reduction in cull cows slaughtered in NI, which is a reduction of 2,077 head. That is followed by a 21% reduction in August (1,902 head) and a 13% decline in September (1,497 head).

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Data received from the Livestock and Meat Commission NI (LMC) gives a breakdown of the price-reported cull cows slaughtered in NI for 2025.

It shows that dairy cows account for 76% of the total cow kill in NI. The LMC data relates to around 80% of the total kill, as not all grades are price reported to DAERA, while small abattoirs are also exempt.