Update on the Current Situation of Calf Registrations and Market
Trends
Updated Paper produced for the Beyond Calf Exports Forum
May 2012
GB dairy calf registrations, deaths and live exports
2012/ytd
(Feb)
GB
2010
2011
Dairy male calf registrations
Estimated number born (from heifer registrations)
Estimated number killed on farm or not registered
370,091
465,000
95,000
371,508
470,900
99,400
63,400
80,000
16,600
4
11,153
1,663
370,087
360,355
61,737
Number of male dairy calves exported live
Estimated number of male dairy calves retained in GB (not
incl. deaths)
Calf registrations and the live export trade (ALL GB FIGURES)
During 2011 around 1,000 more male dairy calves were registered in GB than in 2010.
This was driven by increased registrations in the second half of the year when increased
finished prices and lower cereal prices made intensive finishing operations more attractive.
However there were more female calves registered too. As such the estimated number of
male dairy calves disposed on farm or not registered increased by around 4,500 head to
99,400 This represented an increase of five per cent on 2010 levels.
The situation at the end of last year has continued into 2012 with increased registration in
the first two months of the year due to increased margins. Overall there were almost
10,000 more male dairy calves registered in the first two months of the year compared with
the same period in 2011. Again more females were also registered which may have helped
this. Estimates for on farm disposals or non registrations are 16,600 head, a drop of 5,000
head, or 23 per cent, year on year.
The industry led ban on importing calves from Great Britain into the Netherlands continues.
British Cattle Movement Service reported that no dairy calves were exported for veal
production to the Netherlands or Belgium in 2011; a situation that continued in the first two
months of 2012. With the French trade resuming in early in 2011 a total of almost 7,300
male dairy animals were shipped by the end of the year. In addition to this 3,200 were sent
to the Republic of Ireland and 700 to Spain.
Figures for Jan-Feb 2012 show that almost 1,700 animals under 3 months of age were
shipped. With no trade in January 2011 the figure for February 2012 when compared with
February 2011 is 29 per cent higher. The only trade in male dairy animals so far in 2012
has been with the Republic of Ireland and Spain, taking 1,100 head and 600 head
respectively.
Dairy Calf prices
Holstein/Friesian bulls (£ per head)
100
80
2010
60
2011
40
2012
20
07
-J
an
28
-J
an
18
-F
eb
11
-M
ar
01
-A
pr
22
-A
pr
13
-M
ay
03
-J
un
24
-J
un
15
-J
u
05 l
-A
ug
26
-A
ug
16
-S
ep
07
-O
ct
28
-O
ct
18
-N
ov
09
-D
ec
30
-D
ec
0
Months
Source: AHDB/LAA Auction market prices
On the back of high returns in 2011, the rearing calf market has remained firm for the first
quarter of 2012.
Pure-bred dairy bull calf values have stayed strong since the turn of the year, with average
auction prices rising from £53 per head in the last quarter of 2011 to £59 per head in the
first quarter of 2012. Prices have since strengthened further and the average recorded for
April was £79 per head. At £65 per head, average returns for the year so far have been
markedly better than the £34 per head they were in the corresponding period in 2011.
Latest prices have pushed even further ahead reaching £89.50 in week ended 12 May.
AHDB Market Intelligence
May 2012
Appendix 1
Change in Calf Birth Registrations 2008 to 2012
10000
5000
0
-5000
-10000
Dairy Females
Dairy Males
-15000
Beef Females
Beef Males
12
Ja
n-
O
ct
Ju
l
pr
A
O
c
Ja t
n11
Ju
l
pr
A
O
c
Ja t
n10
Ju
l
pr
A
O
c
Ja t
n09
Ju
l
pr
A
Ja
n-
08
-20000