Contrasting trends in Irish red meat production in the first quarter of 2012 as Irish sheep slaughtering was up six percent, pigs up 7 per cent , and cattle slaughtering fell by 10 per cent int the same quarter - according to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.

In the first quarter of 2012, data from Eurostat indicate that Irish sheep slaughterings were six per cent higher year on year. This was driven by an eight per cent rise in lamb slaughterings following the low level recorded in 2011. However at 426,000 head the quarterly lamb kill was still slightly below 2010 levels. The growth in throughputs reflects the situation recorded in December when the census indicated there were 13 per cent more �other sheep� (which are mainly lambs) on the ground. This trend appears to have continued into the second quarter as well; more recent figures from Bord Bia indicate that in 2012 up to early May there was an increase in lamb slaughtering of over eight per cent.

The increased slaughterings look even more impressive when viewed alongside the figures for live trade with Northern Ireland. Figures from DARD indicate that Northern Ireland has sent 13,000 fewer sheep direct to slaughter into the Republic. Despite this decline there were over 31,000 more lambs slaughtered at abattoirs in the Republic during the first quarter. Carcase weights were little changed on year earlier levels and lamb production was up eight per cent at over 8,200 tonnes.

With the breeding flock having already undergone some rebuilding in 2011, the situation looks set to continue with fewer adult sheep slaughtered so far in 2012 given increased producer confidence. During the first quarter, total adult sheep slaughterings were down eight per cent at nearly 52,000 head. This trend has continued into April and May with Bord Bia figures showing a decline of 12 per cent in slaughterings up to early May.

Irish cattle slaughterings in the first quarter of the year fell 10 per cent to total 355,000 head. This was driven by a 14 per cent decline in the number of male cattle killed and was expected as the December 2011 livestock survey indicated that the number of male cattle aged over one year was down 14 per cent. Further year on year declines in male cattle slaughtering can be expected.

There has been a very apparent shift in finishing patterns in Ireland over recent years with the number of steers declining dramatically while the number of young bulls has steadily increased given rising interest in the finishing of dairy male calves. The figures for the first quarter of 2012 show that steer slaughterings fell 26 per cent while bull throughputs rose seven per cent (the majority of these being young bulls). Over a two year period the trend is even more apparent with steer numbers down 39 per cent and bull numbers up 38 per cent.

The decline in male cattle numbers was somewhat offset by increased numbers of cows being slaughtered, up three per cent at 71,400 head. This is likely attributable to the fact that the dairy herd has expanded and as such there is an increased pool of cattle to cull from. Heifer throughputs fell 11 per cent as there were fewer on farm last December and there is possibly further dairy herd expansion underway.

While total slaughterings fell 11 per cent, beef production was only eight per cent lower at 120,000 tonnes. This was a result of increased male cattle and heifer carcase weights offsetting the lower numbers to some degree.

Irish pig throughputs during the first quarter of the year have been well ahead of 2011 levels, increasing by seven per cent to total 751,000 head. Bord Bia figures indicate that this has been the result of a large increase in sow and boar slaughterings as well as a smaller increase in clean pig throughputs. In the year to the beginning of May sow and boar slaughter was up 12 per cent while finished pig numbers were up only five per cent. This and the forthcoming partial stall and tether ban may indicate further rationalising of the national herd which has been in decline over a number of years. While the herd has fallen it is evidently more productive now with increased numbers of finishing pigs on the ground in December and coming through the system so far in 2012.