More calves born in spring as farmers make switch to beef

SCOTTISH calf registrations for the whole year show a continued trend to calving in March, April and May, with 50 per cent of Scottish calf registrations relating to the period during 2016.

According to the latest analysis by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), the red-meat industry’s promotional body, this represents an increase from 47 per cent a decade ago and contrasts sharply with GB as a whole.

“In GB as a whole only 34 per cent of calf registrations were recorded in March, April and May,” said Stuart Ashworth, head of economic services with QMS.

Calf registrations also show a continued growth in the use of native breeds which, he said, have now reached almost a quarter of all registrations – up from 17 per cent a decade ago.

“In 2016, there was also evidence of a shift from dairy to beef with beef-sired registrations rising by one per cent in Scotland, while 6.5 per cent fewer dairy-sired calves were registered,” Mr Ashworth added.

“Overall, registrations fell by 0.5 per cent to 568,350 head with beef-bred registrations accounting for 82 per cent of the total – their highest share since 2011.”

However, in GB as a whole, total calf registrations edged higher – a 3.5 per cent increase in beef-bred calves more than offsetting a six per cent decline in the dairy side. Beef-bred calves now account for 68 per cent of all registrations.

“With the average age at slaughter in Scotland remaining around 22 months [it] means that in the first quarter of the year cattle are predominantly drawn from springborn calves,” Mr Ashworth observed.

“The high proportion of calves born in the spring in Scotland means the Scottish market is relatively better supplied at this time of year than GB as a whole.”

Additionally, because there were one per cent more calves born in spring 2015 than spring 2014, there will be a larger pool of Scottish slaughter cattle than this time last year.

In line with the traditional post-Christmas dip in prices, beef has slipped 7p/kg deadweight since the turn of the year, but remains five per cent higher than last year C&D Auction Marts Ltd sold 4297 prime hoggs in Longtown on Thursday to a top of £110 per head and 263p per kg to average 169p (+0.7p on the week).

The firm also had 5007 cast sheep forward when heavy ewes sold to £160 for Texels and averaged £70.81 (-£7.05), while light ewes peaked at £63 for Blackfaces and levelled at £37.18 (-£1.82). Rams sold to £124 for a Charolais and averaged £66.93.