Latest news from Northern Ireland Livestock and Meat Commission

• Preliminary results of the Norther Ireland  DARD census shows a 2 per cent decline in total cattle number between June 2012 and June 2013 - a  fall from 279,200 to 270,000 . This decline represents a decline of three percent in suckler cows year on year.
• In a seperate article the LMC bulletin records calf registrations down for the seventh consutive month.
• Prime cattle slaughterings in NI last week totalled 5,345 head, a reduction of727head on the previous week
• Forecasts that China will drive world demand for Sheep.
• In this weeks cattle marts: first quality steers sold to an average of 212p/kg thi sweek, with second quality selling to an average of 187p/kg. First quality finished heifers sold to an average of206p/kg thisweekwith second quality selling to anaverage of183p/kg
•  In this weeks sheep marts an increase in throughput has been reported, with average reported prices generally ranging from 329-342p/kg.In Massereene on Monday an entry of 1,026 lambs sold from 330-367p/kg compared to1,149lambs selling from 340-369p/kg lastweek.

Read more in in the  Livestock and Meat Commission lastest bulletin

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