The numbers of cattle slaughtered in plants supervised by my Department in the months concerned are set out in the following table:
-
|
2012
|
2013
|
January
|
117,872
|
128,869
|
February
|
112,178
|
121,058
|
March
|
106,689
|
110,231
|
April
|
104,539
|
120,347
|
May
|
111,820
|
125,000 (est)
|
Total
|
553,098
|
605,505 (est)
|
The numbers slaughtered are primarily a function of commercial considerations and I understand that cattle prices in 2013 are higher than in 2012. I am advised that other factors which may be contributing to the increased numbers being slaughtered include the fact that cattle disposals through live exports have been on a downward trend since 2010; that cattle slaughterings in 2012 were considerably lower than previous years; and fodder shortage issues in the period concerned.