Calf registrations in Northern Ireland (NI) have fallen by 5.5% in the first half of 2024, according to data from the Northern Ireland Food Animal Information System (NIFAIS).
The data has shown that a total of 286,037 head of calves were registered over the first half of 2024 – this is 16,558 head of calves or 5.5% behind levels reported during the corresponding period of 2023.
According to the NI calf registration data, beef-sired calves saw a decline of 6.5% or 15,622 head, meanwhile, dairy-sired calves were back only 1.5% or 936 head.
Commenting on trends reflected in the figures, the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC) agricultural market analyst, Claire McAnearney said:
“The breed to report the largest percentage year-on-year decline of 20% was that of Wagyu, which consisted of 1,595 Wagyu calves registered over the first six months of 2024 compared to 1,994 head registered for the corresponding period of 2023.”
Despite this year-on-year decrease in registrations, the Wagyu breed has been growing in popularity across NI as registrations for the breed for the corresponding period in 2020 came to a humble total of 132 head which has grown with each year that passes.
The largest registration of Wagyu calves for the corresponding period was recorded in 2023, when registrations of the breed more than doubled from 917 head in 2022 to 1,994 head in 2023.
The Jersey breed also seen a major registration decline, back 19% year-on-year, with a total of 686 head of calves registered for the first half of this year compared to 842 head registered during the corresponding period in 2023.
Jersey calf registrations for the first six months of this year are also 13% behind levels during the corresponding period of 2022.
Aberdeen Angus remains the most popular beef sire with a six-month total registration of 62,110 calves, accounting for 28% of all beef registrations for the first half of this year.
Commenting on this trend, the LMC agri-market analyst said: “Despite Aberdeen Angus calf registrations being almost 2% behind levels for the corresponding period of 2023, this breed remains a clear top choice.”
The Angus sire usage is followed closely by Limousin and Charolais at 22% and 21% respectively, of the percentage proportion of beef sired calf registrations in NI by breed for the first 6 months of 2024.
