November UK beef production drops back on lower throughputs

By Felicity Rusk

UK beef and veal production remained below last year’s levels for the third consecutive month in November, according to the latest data from Defra. Production reached 79,900 tonnes, 4% less than the previous year. With prime carcase weights in line with last year, this decline has come solely from a reduction in throughputs.

Slaughter

All categories of prime animals recorded a reduction in throughputs in November compared to the previous year. This is not surprising, as supplies of prime cattle are considerably tighter than last year. As at 1 October, short-term supplies of prime cattle* was 5% lower (83,400 head) compared to the same point in the previous year.

Cow slaughter was also down on the year, reaching 63,600 head in November, 6% less than in the previous year. This may be due to some dairy farmers culling some cows earlier than planned in order to meet processor request to curb milk production through the spring and summer months. Furthermore, cull cow prices have also eased off since the summer highs, which could result in a lack of incentive for producers. Nevertheless, prices are still well above the five-year average.

 *Short term supplies of prime cattle include dairy males and beef cattle of both sexes aged 12-30 months, with an adjustment for suckler replacements.

Carcase weights

In November, prime carcase weights were very marginally heavier than in the previous year, averaging at 343.0kg, just 300g heavier than in the previous year.

Deadweight prime markets are currently buoyant, with the November all-prime average standing at 372.4p/kg. However, other key input price markets have also increased over the past year, in particular feed and straw markets. The fact that carcase weights remain in-line with last year indicates that this increase in finishing prices is only just covering the increased cost of production. As such, there is not incentive for producers to take cattle to heavier weights. This is particularly interesting when you consider that the market was in the reverse situation last year. The deadweight GB all-prime average was almost 48p/kg lower last November, at 324.8p/kg, while feed and straw prices were also considerably lower.

Carcase weights were slightly heavier for both cows and adult bulls. Cow carcase weights averaged 304.6kg, 3.7kg (1%) more than in the previous year, while carcases for adult bulls averaged 485.2kg, 1.5kg more than the previous year.

Production

Overall, UK beef and veal production in November totalled 79,900 tonnes, 3,000 tonnes (-4%) less than in the previous year. As such, this brings the year-to-date figure to 855,200 tonnes, 1% more (11,800 tonnes) than during the same period in the previous year.

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