Calf Registrations in Ireland Decline Compared to Last Year
Source: dairynews.today
Calf registrations in Ireland have reached 842,895 in 2025, showing a decline compared to 2024, according to the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation.
According to data from the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF), calf registrations for 2025 have reached a total of 842,895, with 158,142 calves registered just in the past week. This represents a decline of 56,864 head compared to the same period last year, when 899,759 calves were registered. The shift is attributed to a later calving start date for many farmers, who began the season in mid-February due to unfavorable weather conditions earlier in the year.
The later start appears to be beneficial, as it aligns with better grass growth and ground conditions, though the herd numbers are yet to match the previous year's figures. Dairy calf registrations stand at 742,633—down by 49,524 from the previous year—while beef calves registered are 100,262, a reduction of 7,340.
Additionally, the National Genotyping Programme reported 374,223 samples received by March 5, with a focus on reducing turnaround times for sample processing and passport issuing.
