Analysis beef slaughter
Average number of cattle slaughtered in August
The number of cattle slaughters in August is relatively average. As in previous years, the slaughter numbers follow the periodic picture in which the slaughter increases from the end of the summer.
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The month of August ran roughly from week 32 to week 35. In this period, week 33 stands out the most with a dip that normally does not occur at that time. 'Only' 9280 cattle are slaughtered that week, while the 5-year average is well above 10.500. The other weeks follow the trend of the average.
Periodic phenomenon
The increase in the number of cattle slaughtered from the end of August is an annual phenomenon. This can partly be linked to gaining insight into the phosphate rights towards the end of the year. If a dairy farmer threatens to exceed the annual standard, cows must be removed. Before phosphate rights came into play, the milk quota led to a similar trend.
The low milk prices of recent times may also have a role in the slaughter. This is also a recurring phenomenon. Last year, fewer cattle were slaughtered in the same period, and the average milk price was higher than now.