Shrinking Supply Threatens to “Destabilise” Welsh Beef Industry
The future stability of the Welsh beef industry could be in jeopardy after new half-yearly data reveals a serious shrinkage in cattle supply.
There were 213,200 calf birth registrations in Wales during the first six months of 2024, a decrease of over 10,000 calves year-on-year and a fall of four per cent compared to Jan-June 2023, according to newly released figures from British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) and reported in the latest edition of the Market Bulletin, published by Hybu Cig Cymru-Meat Promotion Wales (HCC).
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“This marks the lowest number of half-year calf registrations recorded in Wales in several years, well below the peak of nearly 230,000 head in 2021,” said Glesni Phillips, HCC’s Intelligence, Analysis & Business Insight Executive.“This decline also mirrors trends across the rest of Britain, with English registrations also four per cent down and Scottish two per cent down.
“As cattle numbers in key age brackets fall, there are serious concerns around the critical mass needed to promote and maintain industry stability, which presents an overall concerning outlook for beef production,” warned Glesni.
The BCMS data reveals the number of calves that could be available for beef production has fallen to 173,600 head, its lowest level in several years.
Read full article Share on twitter“Although some of the beef females will be retained as suckler replacements in the herd, this figure is four per cent lower- that’s 7,400 head- than the number available during the first half of 2023 and it’s likely to have significant implications for the future of beef supply in Wales.”