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Methodology Previous Releases
International comparison:
Eurostat
For more information on this release:
E-mail: agaccounts@cso.ie Viacheslav Voronovich (+353) 21 453 5164 Morgan O'Donnell (+353) 21 453 5333
For general information on CSO statistics:
information@cso.ie (+353) 21 453 5000 On-line ISSN 2009-5651
CSO statistical release, , 11am

Livestock Slaughterings

January 2014

 CattleSheepPigs
 '000 head
January 2013137.2234.9263.2
January 2014146.0208.8260.4
% Change                
January 2014/20136.4%-11.1%-1.1%
    
   

Cattle slaughterings increased by 6.4% in January

Livestock Slaughterings January 2014 Figure 1
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The number of cattle slaughtered in January 2014 was 6.4% higher than in January 2013. See Table 1 and graph.

A further comparison of January 2014 and January 2013 slaughtering figures also shows that

  • Sheep slaughterings decreased by 11.1%.
  • Pig slaughterings decreased by 1.1%.

A comparison of figures for the full year 2013 with 2012 shows that

  • Cattle slaughterings increased by 7.1%.
  • Sheep slaughterings increased by 6.8%.
  • Pig slaughterings decreased by 2.3%.
Table 1 Livestock Slaughterings            
                
CategoryYearUnitJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecTotal
                
Cattle 2012'000124.1 118.1 112.4 110.4 118.3 106.1 115.5 128.1 126.4 155.0 149.9 119.4 1,483.8
 2013head137.2 128.4 117.4 127.9 131.3 113.8 136.4 ³124.1 144.9 157.5 145.2 124.8 ³1,588.9
 2014 146.0            146.0
                
Sheep2012'000177.2 151.9 146.8 166.6 226.5 214.6 257.2 292.6 259.2 300.4 266.6 231.1 2,690.8
 2013head234.9 189.3 207.7 179.8 200.1 213.6 286.1 282.1 280.6 ³302.2 ³267.2 ³231.1 ³2,874.7
 2014 208.8            208.8
                
Pigs2012'000253.2 250.3 247.1 242.5 265.0 233.6 253.5 257.0 230.8 261.5 260.7 217.3 2,972.3
 2013head263.2 228.5 238.9 248.7 261.6 222.1 259.0 234.0 231.9 250.3 ³242.6 222.8 2,903.8
 2014 260.4            260.4
                
Cattle2012'00042.1 39.8 38.0 37.4 39.6 35.3 38.5 42.9 42.2 51.6 48.9 39.1 495.4
 2013tonnes 146.0 42.6 38.3 41.0 41.7 36.5 43.8 39.9 47.8 ³51.6 47.3 41.2 ³517.6
 2014 48.9            48.9
                
Sheep2012'0003.5 3.0 2.9 3.3 4.5 4.2 5.1 5.9 5.2 6.0 5.4 4.6 53.7
 2013tonnes 14.6 3.8 4.1 3.6 4.0 4.2 5.7 5.6 5.7 6.1 5.5 4.7 57.5
 2014 4.3            4.3
                
Pigs2012'00020.7 20.5 20.3 19.9 21.7 18.0 20.5 20.8 18.8 21.6 21.2 17.4 241.5
 2013tonnes 121.8 18.9 19.8 20.5 21.7 18.3 21.0 19.1 19.0 20.7 20.2 ³18.4 ³239.3 
 2014 21.7            21.7
                
1 Carcass weight         
2 Totals may not equal the sum of the categories due to rounding differences.      
3 Revised               
      

Background Notes

Introduction

This release gives the number and carcass weight of cattle, sheep and pig slaughterings in the Republic of Ireland. The figures include slaughterings at both meat establishments approved by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and slaughterhouses and meat plants approved by Local Authorities under S.I.432 of 2009. The collection of monthly slaughtering data for cattle, sheep and pigs is governed by Regulation (EC) No. 1165/2008.

DAFM approved plants

Data on the number of slaughterings in meat establishments approved by DAFM for cattle, sheep and pigs is obtained monthly from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Average carcass weights of cattle are taken from the Department’s Beef Carcass Classification Scheme. Average carcass weights of pigs are based on information obtained directly from the export factories by the CSO. Average carcass weights of sheep are based on average weights data provided by DAFM.

Local Authorities approved plants

The CSO conducts a monthly survey of all Local Authorities in the State. All slaughterings in slaughterhouses and meat plants approved by Local Authorities under S.I.432 of 2009 are included.

The carcass weight of cattle, sheep and pigs slaughtered in premises under Local Authority control corresponds with those applied to DAFM approved plants.

Calves

Calf slaughterings are included with cattle.

Carcass Weights

For cattle, the carcass weight is defined as the weight of the slaughtered animal’s cold body after being skinned, bled and eviscerated and after removal of external genitalia, the limb at the carpus and tarsus, head, tail, kidneys and kidney fats and the udder.

For sheep, the carcass weight is defined as the weight of the slaughtered animal’s cold body after being skinned, bled and eviscerated and after removal of the head, feet, tail and genital organs including the udder. Kidneys and kidney fats are included in the carcass.

For pigs, the carcass weight is defined as the weight of the slaughtered animal’s cold body either whole or divided in half along the mid-line, after being bled and eviscerated and after the removal of the tongue, bristles, hooves, genitalia, flare fat, kidneys and diaphragm.

Timing of Easter

Easter falls each year on a Sunday between March 22nd and April 25th, inclusively. In 2014 Easter Sunday falls on April 20th, while in 2013 it fell on March 31st. The level of sheep slaughterings in March and April each year is greatly influenced by when Easter falls.

Dates for Easter Sunday

2014 - 20th April  

2013 - 31st March

2012 – 8th April

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