The heifer throughput this year has dropped by a significant 32,684 head when compared to last year's throughput for the same time frame.

Figures released by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) on the cumulative beef kill of 2021 have shown the beef kill to date this year at DAFM-approved factories has dropped by a total of 78,412 head (including veal).

There was no significant change in the composition of the weekly kill last week, compared to the previous week, however, numbers were back slightly.

When the overall throughput for this year up to Saturday, December 11, is compared to figures for the same timeframe last year, a different story is evident as we see a significant shortfall of 78,412 head of cattle (including veal) to date this year, compared to last year.

Steers comprised the largest part of the kill again last week with 11,497 head of bullocks processed, while heifer throughput formed the second largest part of the kill at 10,475 head.

The figures above give an indication of just how much the kill has dropped by in each category.

The drop in kill numbers this year is due to a combination of factors but, in the steer and young bull categories, can be at least partially attributed to strong calf exports in 2019.