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GB calf registrations: births to dairy dams rose in Q4 2025
Wednesday, 11 March 2026
New data from the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) shows there were about 358,000 births to dairy dams in Great Britain in quarter 4 (October to December) 2025. That is 0.6% higher than the same period in 2024.
Looking at the full year, total registrations in 2025 were up by 6,600 head (0.4%) compared with 2024. Registrations fell in quarter 3, but numbers increased in the other quarters.
Figure 1. Monthly births to dairy dams for GB
Source: BCMS
Figure 1 is a line graph showing the number of calves registered each month to dairy dams in Great Britain.
Compared with the five-year average, registrations in 2025 were higher by almost 10,800 head (0.7%). Milk prices started to rise in summer and autumn 2024 and stayed higher into 2025. This may have affected breeding decisions for cows that calved in 2025.
Beef-sired calf registrations continue to grow
Figure 2. Calf registrations to dairy dams by breed (annual)
Source: BCMS
Figure 2 is a line chart showing annual calf registrations to dairy dams, split by sire breed.
In 2025, 60% of registrations to dairy dams had a beef sire (often called “dairy-beef” calves). Of the remaining registrations, 32% were dairy heifer calves. Aberdeen Angus cross (AAX) registrations to the dairy herd were up 10%.
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