NEW statistics from the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) has shed new light on the current state of the beef industry in Wales, according to Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC).

BCMS issued data recently on the number of calves registered during each month in 2019, which showed that the combined total of beef and dairy calves in Wales was 379,800 head – down 0.7 per cent on the previous year.

The lower registrations reflect a difficult year for beef producers, when farm-gate prices were at very low levels in the summer and autumn.

This picture is further illustrated by abattoir statistics, which show a higher UK throughput of heifers in 2019 (up 3.1 per cent year on year), indicating that breeding numbers are falling somewhat as farmers are reluctant to invest in expanding their herds.

However, the BCMS statistics also highlight more favourable trends in terms of the efficiency and sustainability of the industry.

Calf registrations are usually highest in the period during the months of March through to June, a picture which is again true of 2019.

However, June registrations were 3.7 per cent down on 2018 figures, which may indicate more efficient production according to HCC data analyst Glesni Phillips.

“Achieving shorter intervals between calving is a long-term goal of the beef industry in Wales,” said Glesni.

“Fewer calf registrations during June compared to 2018 indicates a positive trend towards a compact spring calving block, which essentially means a more efficient herd resulting in fewer emissions.”

She added, “It’s no surprise, given the challenging situation in the cattle industry in 2019, to see slightly reduced calf registrations and the increased throughput of heifers.

“Farm-gate prices have recovered somewhat in recent weeks, and the long-term trends of a declining breeding herd in both Wales and the wider UK will probably contribute to fewer calf registrations in 2020, and a return to a more balanced supply and demand in the near future.

“However, there are too many uncertainties beyond the industry’s control to make confident projections – such as changing global trading patterns, and uncertainty over post-Brexit trade agreements.”