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Beef production higher for April year on year
Thursday, 13 May 2021
By Charlie Reeve
Beef production in the UK was 2.7% higher in April 2021 compared to year earlier levels, according to Defra figures.
In April, 75,800 tonnes of beef and veal was produced, 2,000 tonnes more than the same month last year. This increase in production was due to more cattle slaughterings during the month.
Prime cattle slaughter for the month totalled 171,000 head, 0.7% higher year-on-year. Steers, heifers and young bulls all had higher slaughterings than year earlier levels.
Adult cattle slaughter totalled 48,500 head in April, an increase of 6.3% on year earlier levels. This notable year-on-year increase is partially due to reduced throughputs this time last year as the UK entered its first lockdown. Cow throughput accounted for most of this increase up 2,600 head year-on-year to 47,200 head, whilst adult bull slaughter increased by 300 head to total 1,300 head. Cow carcase weights were up 1.5% year-on-year in April, averaging 313.5kg.
Prime cattle carcase weights rose across all categories in April both on the previous month and on the same month last year. Steers averaged 364.7kg, up 1kg on the previous month and 0.5kg on the previous year. Heifers averaged 331.4kg, up 2.9kg on the previous month and 3.5kg on year earlier levels. Young bulls remained relatively unchanged on the month at 348kg.
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