Just under 39,800 head of cattle (excluding veal) were slaughtered at Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM)-approved factories in the week ending Sunday, September 29.

Last week's beef kill increased by over 1,400 head on the previous week and weekly supplies have been generally on the rise for the past seven weeks.

Weekly kill numbers have remained above the same week of last year for the past five consecutive weeks.

The graph below shows the increase in the total beef kill over the past seven weeks and also shows how supplies are trending differently to last year:

The strong supplies throughout September is contrary to the forecast of tight cattle supplies but this could well change in the final quarter of this year or early next year.

Despite the strong supplies, prices are remaining firm across the board and while carcass weights are back, the autumn beef trade has been one of positivity to date this year.

Factories are keen to secure in-spec cattle for the kills in the lead up to Christmas and have put their best foot forward offering farmers increased breed bonuses for cattle supplied in October and November.

The table below details the beef kill composition for the week ending Sunday, September 29, versus the same week of last year and the cumulative beef kill this year versus last year:

As can be seen from the table above, the total supply of cattle to date this year is almost 30,000 head above this time last year.

Cow supplies are also remaining strong with kill numbers up 32,000 to date this year.