Average carcass weights for heifers and steers (bullocks) have continued to fall.

The latest average cold carcass weight figures from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) show the average steer carcass weight in the first half of 2025 was 339kg.

The average steer carcass weight is down 1kg when compared to the first half of 2024.

The table below shows the average carcass weights in the first half of 2024 compared to the first half of 2025:

Average heifer carcass weights are down 3kg on last year, but the average cow carcass weight is up 3kg on last year.

Early indications suggest the average slaughter age of prime cattle has fallen this year with the strong prices drawing out more cattle than was initially forecasted for the first half of the year.

Looking at cumulative kill figures for 2025, and the heifer kill is currently 18,800 head above last year at 307,000 head, while the steer kill is on par with last year.

The cumulative cow kill this year is currently at 220,500 head, which is over 31,000 head below last year.

Factory cattle supplies have dropped off significantly in the past few weeks with 24,500 cattle slaughtered in the week ending Sunday, July 27, almost 8,300 head below the same week of the previous year.

According to Bord Bia, the forecasted decline in the cattle kill for 2025 is estimated to be back in the region of 70-90,000 head, subject to no major interruptions in the trade.

Currently, the 2025 beef kill (including veal) is 34,500 head below the same time last year.

The reduced cattle supply is expected to impact the trade from now into the end of the year.