Republic of Ireland-Cattle slaughter numbers down.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND.

CATTLE SLAUGHTERING 2008.

CATTLE SLAUGHTERING IN Ireland for 2008 was 1.8 million head of cattle or 34,600 cattle per week.

Supplies to he plants dropped by 7% and according to Bord Bia, this was due to the firm live shipping trade for the year.

Even so live exports were down by 29% but with prices in th order books, that gave the bef plants a run for their money.

Cow slaughtering was down by 7%, while steers slaughtering numbered 702,000 down 10% and heifer slaughtering 411,000 head down 3% with young bulls at 107,000 head which was an increase of 1%..

Live shipping took 147,000 head for the year, which is a drop of 29%.