bull beef production in ireland: market perspective · growing the success of irish food &...
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Growing the success of Irish food & horticulture
AIDAN COTTER
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
BORD BIA
28 JANUARY 2009
Growing the success of Irish food & horticulture
February 2015 Joe Burke
Bull Beef Production
in Ireland:
Market Perspective
Growing the success of Irish food & horticulture
Irish Beef An expanding
portfolio of high-end
retail and foodservice
businesses
Irish beef
82 retail customers
across Europe
Feedback from customers that Irish steer beef has a point of difference.
In general, young bull beef is seen as more of a commodity
Growing the success of Irish food & horticulture
Male Cattle Slaughterings: 2004-2014
2014: 188,000 young bulls slaughtered (vs. peak of 207,000 in 2012)
0
200
400
600
800
1,000
Tho
usa
nd
He
ad
Mature Bulls
Young Bulls
Steers
Growing the success of Irish food & horticulture
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
14,000
16,000
18,000
20,000
Ireland/Steers
Ireland/Young Bulls
Seasonality of Young Bull Production
Weekly Young Bull & Steer Slaughterings - 2014
Growing the success of Irish food & horticulture
Market Issues Surrounding Young Bulls
1. UK Market
Ireland is the main import supplier (70%)
Customer preference for steer / heifer beef
In Britain, young bulls (<16 mo.s) priced 15p/kg below steers
2. Continental EU Markets
Irish exporters have developed customers for bull beef
However, these outlets are highly price-competitive
Widespread availability of cheaper bull beef
Growing the success of Irish food & horticulture
Age at Slaughter
Distribution of prime male cattle in Ireland by age at slaughter (months) - 2014
0
20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
Nu
mb
er
of
Cat
tle
- H
ead
Age Range (Months)
Growing the success of Irish food & horticulture
• More of an issue with young bulls
than steers, on account of their
higher growth rates and kill-out %
• Principally impacts on the saleability
of the hindquarter steak cuts:
striploin, ribeye and fillet
• More difficult to meet a desired
portion size or price-point
• Heavier cuts likely be down-graded
to use as a roasting joint for catering
Significance of Carcase Weight
Growing the success of Irish food & horticulture
Carcase Comparison
Carcases:
Steer 360kg R= 3+
Y Bull 440kg U+ 2=
Ribeye:
3.4kg
4.5kg
Striploin:
7.0kg
9.2kg
Fillet:
2.9kg
4.0kg
Growing the success of Irish food & horticulture
R=3+ Steer: 360kg carcase
Growing the success of Irish food & horticulture
U+2= Young Bull: 440kg carcase
Growing the success of Irish food & horticulture
Issues Surrounding Young Bulls for Producers
• <16 mo.s meets UK customer requirements
• >16 mo.s demands coordinated production
• Reliant on fewer, more price-sensitive customers
• Impact of carcase weight on size of steak cuts
• Also essential to achieve desired fat cover and
manage animals correctly pre-slaughter
Growing the success of Irish food & horticulture
AIDAN COTTER
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
BORD BIA
28 JANUARY 2009
Growing the success of Irish food & horticulture
February 2015 Joe Burke
Bull Beef Production
in Ireland:
Market Perspective