While the initial projection for the 2025 Irish factory prime cattle supply was a drop of 5%, Bord Bia has revised this figure to 7-8% as a result of the strong supply in the first four months of this year.

Initial Bord Bia cattle kill projections at the start of this year indicated that overall cattle throughput at Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM)-approved processing plants would reduce by 70-90,000 head this year.

This kill forecast is based on the latest available Animal identification and Movement system (AIMS) figures, which outline the inventory of cattle numbers by age categories, as well as considering ongoing developments in the live trade.

With veal kill figures included, total cattle throughput during 2025 to date is currently trending 11,000 head ahead of the corresponding period last year.

This year's factory cattle supply is up by over 24,500 head when veal kill numbers are excluded.

According to Bord Bia: "Feedback from the market is indicating that prime cattle are being brought forward and being processed younger and lighter than anticipated, a trend driven by strong deadweight beef prices.

"As a result, the reduction in the prime cattle supply is expected to be pushed out to later in the year."

According to Bord Bia: "Very tight cattle numbers in continental Europe have driven a buoyant live trade, with the numbers of animals traded live increasing to almost 209,000 head in the year to date.

"The number of calves traded is up 15% on the same period last year to 156,000 head, while exports of older cattle have increased by almost 40% to total 53,000 head.

"This is expected to impact weanling availability in the autumn and also contribute to tighter supplies of cattle for processing."

Farmers can click here to view the latest statistics and data on the weekly beef kill figures and prices paid to farmers for beef.