Figures show calf increase in Wales
According to the latest figures from Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC), the Wales-based meat promotion agency, the number of calves registered in Wales is increasing. It says that firm prices and reduced feed costs are among the reasons farmers are retaining more animals.
Between January and March this year, calf registrations in Wales have increased by 9,000 or 11 per cent compared with the same period last year. This has brought the total number of registrations to 90,000 with almost 60 per cent of these registered as beef animals.
HCC’s industry information officer, John Richards, said: “The overall increase was driven by higher numbers of registrations across all categories of cattle, including an 8 per cent increase in female beef cattle registrations,”
“This suggests that there may be some growth in the beef breeding herd if additional numbers of heifers are retained.
“Male beef registrations rose by 10 per cent, indicating there will be increased availability in the medium term from Welsh holdings.
“Dairy-bred female registrations were up seven per cent during the period, while dairy-bred male calves were up 25 per cent on the same quarter in 2011,” he added.
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
