Almost 37% of steers slaughtered in Northern Ireland between March and May of this year produced carcass heavier than the desired retail specification.
According to the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC), most retail specifications in the north seek cattle with carcasses of between 280 and 380kg.
However, it shows that just over one third of all steers slaughtered during this period failed to meet this criteria.
It also indicates that steer carcasses in Northern Ireland are getting heavier, as 35% of all steers slaughtered between March and May 2015 fell outside of the requirement.
Between March and May 2016, the average steer carcass produced in the north weighed 356kg, 5kg heavier than the same time last year.
The LMC also reports that 23.5% of steers slaughtered in Northern Ireland between March and May produced carcasses between 380 to 420kg, 2.5% higher than 2015.
23% of Northern Irish heifers fail to meet weight spec
The proportion of heifer carcasses falling within the desired weight range of 280 to 380kg remained similar to last year.
According to the LMC, 77% of heifers slaughtered in Northern Ireland between March and May 2016 met this key market requirement.
However, the proportion of heifers over 380kg accounted for 8.2% of the heifer kill, up 6.8% on the same time in 2015.
But, the number of heifers slaughtered under 280kg recorded a decline, accounting for just 14.8% of the price reported kill in the North.
Like the steers, heifer carcasses in Northern Ireland are also getting heavier. The average heifer carcass in Northern Ireland weighed 320kg, 3kg heavier than the same time in 2015.
