Thirteen bullocks were drafted from grass for slaughter on the Thrive demonstration farm last week. They averaged a carcase weight of 317kg at just shy of 19 months old.

Slaughtered were two Limousin, three Angus and seven Hereford. The Limousin bullocks averaged a carcase weight of 313kg, a conformation score of R- and a fat score of 3=. They came to an average price of €1,170/head.

The three Angus bullocks also averaged a carcase weight of 313kg, while conformation was poorer at O+ and fat score was greater at 3+. They came into €1,182/head. Although they graded poorer and were 6c/kg back on the grid, the breed bonus of 10c/kg helped overcome this.

This Angus bullock weighing 616kg made€1,211.

Finally the seven Herefords averaged a carcase weight of 322kg, an average conformation grade of O= and an average fat score of 3=. They averaged €1,182/head despite being 9kg lighter than the Angus bullocks, they came to the same value/head. This was due to one Hereford bullock grading an O- which put him back 24c/kg on the grid and cost a further 8c/kg in losing the quality assurance (QA) payment, resulting in a price of €3.48/kg. Had he graded O= he would have made another €45.

This Hereford bullock weighing 630kg made €1,125.

A full update of all the cattle slaughtered on the demo farm so far this year will be in print in this week’s Irish Farmers Journal.