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The kill for the first 51 weeks of the year was recorded at 2,468,849 head, equating to a fall of over 370,000 head compared to 2023 levels.
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The Irish Farmers Journal dairy, beef, sheep and tillage editors take a look back at the year that was 2024 and the highs and lows in their sectors.
Peter McCann reviews what the past 12 months have meant for farming in Northern Ireland.
There is no movement on prime cattle and fat lamb prices in Northern Ireland, with plants working on short kill weeks.
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Farmers delivering significant numbers of lambs for Christmas week have received slightly higher prices, with the general run of lambs trading from €8.80/kg to €8.90/kg.
Throughput in recent weeks has faltered badly, now running over 350,000 head lower than in 2023.
Cattle prices continue to rise on the back of rampant processing demand, with base quotes now on 508p/kg. Lamb prices are also rising, with 700p/kg common place.
Opening prices for quality assured (QA) lambs are in the region of €8.70/kg in most plants, with agents keen to try to maximise throughput over the Christmas processing schedule.
Base quotes for quality assured lambs for Thursday now range from €8.20/kg to €8.50/kg, with factories looking to try to maintain upward momentum in throughput.
Base quotes for prime cattle reached the 500p/kg mark this week for the first time on record in Northern Ireland, with quotes jumping 15p/kg for fat lambs.
