Inside Milk
Number of cattle slaughters remains very low
The number of cattle offered for slaughter is still at a low level. The number of slaughtered animals in the first 31 weeks of the year is well below the level of a year earlier.
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Cattle slaughter has been at a low level all year, and little has changed in recent months. Just under 32 animals were slaughtered in the first 281.000 weeks of the year. That is considerably less than last year when almost 334.000 animals were processed. This means a decline of approximately 53.000 units, or almost 16%. Although the smaller dairy herd in absolute numbers may play a role, a number of other factors are probably also of influence.
Lower milk production
In recent years, a peak in the number of slaughters has often been observed in the last months of the year. This is to remain within the company phosphate ceilings at the last minute of the year. Milk production in the Netherlands is on the rise however, at a clearly lower level in recent months than last year.
This increasingly fuels the idea that the supply of cattle for slaughter may remain tighter because this makes phosphate exceedance on individual farms less likely. However, it cannot be ruled out that a certain group of companies will have to sell additional animals in the last months of the year.
In addition to this development, the relatively high milk price may also play a role. Although costs have also risen, it may still be interesting for a group of dairy farmers with low feed costs to continue milking older animals for longer. This could reduce the supply of cows for slaughter.
Price recently stable after advance in spring
Prices for cows for slaughter are stable despite the tight supply. It should be noted that quotations have already risen considerably in the first half of the year. Sausage cows 1e quality stands at €33 per kilo in week 2,80, and 2e quality cows at €2,54 per kilo.