UK beef production increases in October

Figures from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) found that the UK produced 10% more beef and veal in October than last month and the same month a year ago. Within this total production, 173,000 prime cattle were slaughtered, 7% more than September and 8% above October 2021. Average prime cattle carcass weights ticked down seasonally through the third quarter of the year, being continuously below both 2021 and the five-year average. In October, weights stabilised, nudging above year-ago levels, averaging 340.9kg (-0.1% vs September, +0.1% vs October 2021). For cows, slaughter stood at 70,500 head for the month, up 20% compared to the previous month, and up 13% compared to the same month a year ago. This was also above the five-year average level. For the year to date (Jan-Oct), UK beef production stood at 747,500t, up 1% compared to the same period a year ago. Prime cattle slaughter rose by 0.5% to 1.65 million, while cow kill was up 4% year-on-year at ...