Strong interest in native-sired cattle continues
According to AHDB analysis of the latest British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) data, a predicted increase in cattle production levels this year and next could mean a gradually segmented market in terms of price due to high demand for native-sired cattle.
BCMS figures indicate that registered calf births in 2015 were up 3% on the year at 2.69 million head.
Given that registrations have been trending up for a couple of years, there are implications for production levels this year and into 2017.
The increase in beef-bred registrations has continued from the previous year, up nearly 50,000 head on the higher numbers of 2014. This follows another improvement in cow productivity as a result of a couple of years of good seasonal conditions.
While Limousin genetics remain the most dominant for beef-sired breeds, accounting for 27% of all beef registrations, their numbers were only marginally up on the year.
Growth came predominantly from native beef types. Aberdeen Angus registrations were up 3%, reflecting the breed’s steady increase in prevalence over the past few years, up from 14% of all beef-sired registrations in 2011 to 17% in 2015.
Hereford calf registrations were also up over 13% on the year. The increasing influence of Angus and native-bred beef is the result of several production factors combined with consumer demand.
Registrations of the leading continental-bred calves were rather more variable. British Blue registrations were up significantly, which is likely to be an indicator of increased usage of beef semen in the dairy herd.
Charolais registrations were broadly the same as in 2014, however Simmental and Blonde d’Aquitaine registrations were back almost 2% and 7% respectively.
Further information is available on the AHDB Beef & Lamb website.
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