The number of autumn-calving cows is continuing to fall according to recent registration figures. Between 2005 and 2007, 16.1% of beef cows gave birth between September and November which fell to only 14.5% between 2015 and 2017. The dairy calving herd dropped a smaller amount when comparing the same two periods, from 27.4% to 26.6%.
Autumn-born calves, slaughtered in 2017 were most commonly killed at 18 months old. Male calves aged 13-16 months, predominantly bulls, were most commonly slaughtered at 16 months old. Comparing this to spring-born cattle, where the typical age of slaughter is 23 months, shows how bull production is more prevalent in autumn-calving herds. For spring-born males killed 12-16 months the most popular age was 14 months. Prices look to be very similar for stores sold 12-18 months after birth when comparing spring with autumn born-calves. Last year the 12-18-month steers averaged £979 in the autumn and £975 this spring.
The fat price fell nearly 10p/kg this spring compared to last autumn from £3.85/kg to £3.76/kg. This has been a common seasonal change in recent years but was less severe than previous years. Despite the fall, the price per animal was higher in the spring due to higher weights for both bulls and steers at £1,316 and £1,452, respectively. Furthermore, the higher percentage of suckler bulls compared to dairy bulls in the spring will take the average price up.
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Comment:
Prices received for autumn born calves along with the increased wintering costs in most systems, are pushing farmers towards spring calving. Whilst there is demand for beef 12 months a year there doesn’t seem to be a premium offered for cattle born in the back end.
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The number of autumn-calving cows is continuing to fall according to recent registration figures. Between 2005 and 2007, 16.1% of beef cows gave birth between September and November which fell to only 14.5% between 2015 and 2017. The dairy calving herd dropped a smaller amount when comparing the same two periods, from 27.4% to 26.6%.
Autumn-born calves, slaughtered in 2017 were most commonly killed at 18 months old. Male calves aged 13-16 months, predominantly bulls, were most commonly slaughtered at 16 months old. Comparing this to spring-born cattle, where the typical age of slaughter is 23 months, shows how bull production is more prevalent in autumn-calving herds. For spring-born males killed 12-16 months the most popular age was 14 months. Prices look to be very similar for stores sold 12-18 months after birth when comparing spring with autumn born-calves. Last year the 12-18-month steers averaged £979 in the autumn and £975 this spring.
The fat price fell nearly 10p/kg this spring compared to last autumn from £3.85/kg to £3.76/kg. This has been a common seasonal change in recent years but was less severe than previous years. Despite the fall, the price per animal was higher in the spring due to higher weights for both bulls and steers at £1,316 and £1,452, respectively. Furthermore, the higher percentage of suckler bulls compared to dairy bulls in the spring will take the average price up.
Comment:
Prices received for autumn born calves along with the increased wintering costs in most systems, are pushing farmers towards spring calving. Whilst there is demand for beef 12 months a year there doesn’t seem to be a premium offered for cattle born in the back end.
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