October 21, 2021

AHDB: UK's September cattle slaughter remains behind a year ago

160,600 prime cattle in the United Kingdom were slaughtered in September, according to the latest Defra figures, said the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).

The slaughter level was largely stable compared to August, but 5% lower than the same month a year ago. Overall, beef production for the month fell 6% to 73,600 tonnes.

Based on cattle population data, UK supplies of prime cattle were expected to be tighter. Reflecting this, prime cattle throughputs in September were 3% below the five-year average.

Steers and young bulls showed the greatest decline (-6%), while heifer kill fell by 4%. Carcass weights were 1% (3kg) heavier on average than a year ago.

Cull cow slaughter was 10% lower year-on-year, with 54,800 animals processed. Average carcass weights were also 1% heavier year-on-year.

Breaking the figures down by region, both England and Wales and Northern Ireland reported lower prime cattle kill in September compared to a year ago (-9% and -1%, respectively). Scotland, on the other hand, posted a 4% increase in prime cattle throughputs. Adult cattle kill (cows and breeding bulls) was lower in all countries.

September figures brought UK prime cattle slaughter for the first nine months of the year to 1.48 million head, 4% lower than the same period a year ago. Cow kill totalled 457,300 head over the same period, 6% behind the same period last year. Beef production totalled 667,100 tonnes during January-September, down 4% year-on-year.

The year-to-date figures align with AHDB's forecasts from July.

- AHDB