United Kingdom-Slaughter figures December.

SLAUGHTERING IN DECEMBER.

Slaughter rates were down on all cattle in December, by comparison with November’s statistics.

Steers fell from 79,000 to 72,000; heifers from 62,000 to 60,0000; and young bulls from 19,000 to 18,000. 47,000 cows and adult bulls were slaughtered and 4,000 calves.

The carcass weight of steers were up slightly to 350.8 kilos on average. Heifer weights also rose, to 307.4 kilos. Figures for calves, cows adult bulls also rose. However, young bulls dropped slightly.

There are strong indications with the low pound and the problems in the Irish industry, that beef farmers will be having a good year for 2009.