The cull cow kill has increased in recent weeks, but still lags way behind 2024 levels of throughput.
ADVERTISEMENT
The latest cull cow slaughter statistics published by the Department of Agriculture show the kill running 74,306 head or 19% lower for the first 10 months of the year.
The ratio of dairy to suckler cows remains unchanged, with dairy cows accounting for 69% of throughput and suckler cows 31%.
This is comparable to the ratio for the corresponding period in 2024.
ADVERTISEMENT
Reports indicate that the lower kill figure in dairy herds was driven by higher milk prices encouraging farmers to milk on cows despite the higher cull cow prices on offer.
This was aided by favorable weather conditions in spring reducing issues at farm level.
Throughput
It is expected that throughput of dairy cows in November will be above 2024 levels due to a sharp drop in milk price for September and October, but it is unlikely that it will go anywhere near closing the gap on last year’s throughput, with the cow kill trending 15,000 head higher in October 2024 than October 2025.
Register for free to read this story and our free stories.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe to get unlimited access.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to the site until next Wednesday at 9pm.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact support.
The latest cull cow slaughter statistics published by the Department of Agriculture show the kill running 74,306 head or 19% lower for the first 10 months of the year.
The ratio of dairy to suckler cows remains unchanged, with dairy cows accounting for 69% of throughput and suckler cows 31%.
This is comparable to the ratio for the corresponding period in 2024.
Reports indicate that the lower kill figure in dairy herds was driven by higher milk prices encouraging farmers to milk on cows despite the higher cull cow prices on offer.
This was aided by favorable weather conditions in spring reducing issues at farm level.
Throughput
It is expected that throughput of dairy cows in November will be above 2024 levels due to a sharp drop in milk price for September and October, but it is unlikely that it will go anywhere near closing the gap on last year’s throughput, with the cow kill trending 15,000 head higher in October 2024 than October 2025.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525.
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address. Please click on the link in this email to reset your password. If you can't find it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you can't find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
ENTER YOUR LOYALTY CODE:
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
SHARING OPTIONS