Average Slaughter Age Of Cattle Drops Slightly In Northern Ireland

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The average slaughter age of prime cattle in NI decreased in 2015, but the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC) has today said that efficiency could be further improved.

Peter McCann Fri 19 February 2016 12:00 AM Peter McCann Northern Ireland Fri 19 February 2016 12:00 AM Approximately £2m was lost in the industry in 2015 due to cattle being over the market specification age of 30 months. ADVERTISEMENT

The average age of price-reported prime cattle at slaughter decreased slightly in 2015, figures released from the LMC suggest today. For heifers, the average slaughter age was 782 days in 2015, down from 786 days in 2014, and for steers it was 787 days, down from 797 days.

Overall, 85% of the total price-reported prime kill was slaughtered at the market specification age of under 30 months.

A limited market exists for older cattle up to 36 months. In total, 13% of cattle were slaughtered between 30 and 36 months and the remaining 2% were older than 36 months.

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The LMC states that these figures have changed little from the previous year’s levels and it is an area where efficiency could be improved on farms.

Price deductions

Price deductions in place by factories in NI vary for older cattle. One plant deducts 20p/kg for cattle over 30 months and another deducts 14p/kg. Likewise, for cattle over 36 months, two different factories apply deductions of 70p/kg and 50p/kg.

The average price differential between cattle over 30 months compared with under 30 months in 2015 was 14.1p/kg, according to the LMC. This equates to a difference of £48.06 per head on an average carcase of 340.9kg. The LMC also states that 42,500 cattle were killed over 30 months of age in 2015, which equates to a total loss of £2m to the industry.

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The average age of price-reported prime cattle at slaughter decreased slightly in 2015, figures released from the LMC suggest today. For heifers, the average slaughter age was 782 days in 2015, down from 786 days in 2014, and for steers it was 787 days, down from 797 days.

Overall, 85% of the total price-reported prime kill was slaughtered at the market specification age of under 30 months.

A limited market exists for older cattle up to 36 months. In total, 13% of cattle were slaughtered between 30 and 36 months and the remaining 2% were older than 36 months.

The LMC states that these figures have changed little from the previous year’s levels and it is an area where efficiency could be improved on farms.

Price deductions

Price deductions in place by factories in NI vary for older cattle. One plant deducts 20p/kg for cattle over 30 months and another deducts 14p/kg. Likewise, for cattle over 36 months, two different factories apply deductions of 70p/kg and 50p/kg.

The average price differential between cattle over 30 months compared with under 30 months in 2015 was 14.1p/kg, according to the LMC. This equates to a difference of £48.06 per head on an average carcase of 340.9kg. The LMC also states that 42,500 cattle were killed over 30 months of age in 2015, which equates to a total loss of £2m to the industry.

Age Beef Factories LMC Price differential Slaughter

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