Record high of 4,500 calves slaughtered last week in Ireland

Figures from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) have revealed that over 4,500 calves were slaughtered at DAFM-approved factories in the week ending Sunday, March 5. According to DAFM’s weekly beef kill reports, 4,546 category-V carcasses were reported in the week ending Sunday, March 5, which was week nine of this year. A statement from DAFM to Agriland confirmed this is the highest reported weekly kill in this category on record. Category-V veal refers to bovines slaughtered from the day of birth until the day they are eight months old. Advertisement The majority of calves are slaughtered in this category during the months February, March and April. Just under 28,400 calves were slaughtered at DAFM-approved factories in 2022. The 2022 calf kill increased increased by approximately 7,400 head on the 21,000 calves slaughtered in 2021. The total number of calves slaughtered in the first nine weeks of this year stands at 13,784 head and is just over 800 calves ...