Ireland beef production drops nine percent

Recently released figures from the Ireland agricultural statistics indicate that Irish beef production fell by almost nine percent during the first four months of 2009 due to lower cattle supplies and some fall in carcass weights.

Most of the drop was evident in January, when output was almost 20 percent lower, says a BordBia report.

Up to week ending June 6, cattle supplies at export meat plants was six percent lower than last year at 619,000 head. With a marginal fall evident in carcass weights, production to date is down by just under seven percent at around 200,000 tonnes. Prime beef output has shown the largest drop at almost nine percent, reflecting a sharp decline in steer and heifer supplies.

Steer beef production at export meat plants is also running 14 percent lower at 84,000 tonnes, reflecting a smaller carryover of stock from 2008. This is due to reduced availability on strong live exports in 2007, increased exports of finished cattle to Northern Ireland and slower disposal patterns. Some pick up in steer supplies is expected over the second half of 2009, although much will depend on the level of live exports of finished cattle to Northern Ireland.

Heifer beef production at plants is also 6 percent lower at 52,000 tonnes. The decline is due to lower supplies as average carcase weights are unchanged at 290 kilograms.

However, young bull beef production is around four percent higher, reflecting a good lift in supplies over the last few months as lower feed costs help to drive supplies.

Following relatively low disposals in 2008, cow beef production at export meat plants has recovered by three per cent to date at 37,000 tonnes. This increase is based on a rise of almost four percent in supplies. This trend is expected to continue over the coming months.