TL;DR: The GB dairy herd significantly contributes to UK beef, with over half of the slaughtered cattle being dairy-born and dairy-beef registrations increasing notably, especially for Aberdeen Angus and Wagyu.
The contribution of the GB dairy herd to the UK beef market is significant and evolving. Let’s dive into the latest data.
Key Findings:
- Over half of cattle slaughtered in GB are dairy-born.
- Registrations of dairy-beef calves increased by 77% in the last decade, thanks to more beef semen used by dairy farmers.
- Dairy beef accounted for 35% of GB prime cattle slaughter in 2023, up from 28% in 2019.
- Aberdeen Angus continues to lead in birth registrations from the dairy herd. Wagyu also saw a significant rise in 2023.
Total Beef Production Insights:
In 2023, 2.28 million cattle were slaughtered in GB. Dairy dams birthed approximately 52% of these. This statistic spans all ages and sexes, highlighting the dairy herd’s substantial input to beef supplies.
Prime Beef Insights:
Prime cattle (12–30 months old) from dairy dams have seen a gradual increase, with dairy beef becoming more prominent. In 2023, about 43% of slaughtered prime cattle were dairy-born, rising from 40% in 2019. Consequently, the dairy-beef proportion reached 35%, demonstrating a steady increase from 28% in 2019. Meanwhile, suckler-beef has seen a slight decrease.
Breed Trends:
The Holstein Friesian remains a popular choice, despite a drop in its share of calf registrations. On the other hand, Aberdeen Angus and Hereford breeds have seen a rise in popularity among dairy herds. The registration of Wagyu calves notably doubled in 2023, surpassing Jersey and Simmental.
In summary, the dairy herd’s contribution to the UK beef supply is not only substantial but also growing in diversity. With dairy beef’s share increasing, it’s clear that dairy farmers are playing a crucial role in meeting the country’s beef demand.
