Cattle slaughter falls, lamb kill strengthens: Beef and lamb June production update

• UK beef production in June fell 8% compared to May, putting production for the year-to-date down 4% year-on-year
• Prime cattle numbers and carcase weights both declined, reinforcing tight supply dynamics.
• Sheep meat production rose 3% month-on-month and 9% year-on-year amid stronger slaughter
• New season lambs now dominate supply, reflected in falling average carcase weights

The latest production data published by Defra for June 2025 has recorded UK beef production at 70,000 tonnes, a decrease of 8% (5,900 tonnes) from May 2025. When compared to June 2024, this figure showed a reduction of 5% (3,900 tonnes). UK beef production has been below 2024’s level for every month of 2025 so far, with the year-to-date figure now 17,000 tonnes (4%) below last year at 445,000 tonnes (Jan to Jun 25).

Prime cattle slaughter for June 2025 was down versus May 2025, decreasing by 15,000 head (8%). This continues to show the tightness in UK supply forecast for 2025, influencing cattle prices that maintain an elevated position compared to last year. Comparing to June of last year, production was down 8,000 tonnes (5%).

Average prime cattle carcase weights for June were 2.5 kg below the previous month and down 1.9 kg against June 2024. This may reflect several things; variable forage conditions and recent falls in the beef price may have encouraged earlier offloading, as well as a higher proportion of dairy-origin animals generally contributing to lower weights.

Cull cow slaughter stood at 41,300 head for June, largely steady from May’s figure. This continues to be lower year-on-year, down 3,000 head on the figure recorded in June 2024. It is likely that favourable milk prices and below average feed costs continue to influence retention decisions within the national dairy herd, limiting the number of cows being sent for slaughter. A smaller national herd will also be limiting supply compared to last year more generally.

The latest Defra data shows UK sheep meat production for June 2025 rose by 700 tonnes (3%) compared to May of this year, reaching 23,000 tonnes. This also represents an increase compared to June 2024, up 1,900 tonnes (9%). The year-on-year uplift is likely driven by continued higher carryover from 2024 and the arrival of new season lambs on the market.

Clean sheep slaughter for June 2025 rose by 42,000 head (5%) on the month, an increase of 75,300 head (9%) compared to June 2024. This reflects seasonal trends but also higher availability following good lambing and delayed carryover.

Despite this, cull ewe slaughter remains subdued, with year-to-date figures (Jan–Jun) down 6% (39,000 head). This is likely linked to a declining national flock, with Defra reporting the breeding population at 13.1 million head in December 2024, a 5% year-on-year reduction. A later lambing season may also be contributing to a seasonal delay in cull ewe throughput evidenced by a small uptick in year-on-year ewe and ram slaughter for June 2025 compared to June 2024 (2%).

Clean sheep carcase weights fell by 0.6 kg to average 20.4 kg reflecting the shift to new season lambs that now dominate throughput. However, weights were up 0.5 kg on the year, potentially reflecting delayed carryover and comparatively lower feed costs.

Auction market reports have noted an influx of lighter, leaner lambs, consistent with early marketing and producer attempts to hit optimal weight ranges amid robust prices, albeit lower than those seen last year. Limited grass growth in parts of the UK may also be contributing to the earlier marketing of lighter lambs.

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