A Meaty Issue

Beef slaughterings have been high in the first half of 2011. An unexpected rise in both beef cows and heifers presented to market in the first half has contributed to this, possibly due to high input costs and a strong cull cow trade. Prime cattle slaughterings have also been higher, but this is not expected to continue through the second half of the year. According to the British Cattle Movement Service there have been less dairy bull registrations over the past year. The increase in commodity prices has made bull beef less attractive and this is expected to reduce prime beef supplies throughout the second half of 2011. Prime beef supplies throughout the whole year are expected to be up on 2010 but only marginally, with the cull trade contributing the majority to the overall increase.