18 month high in cattle slaughter

Cattle slaughter in the week ended May 10 totaled 57,717 head, 9,000 more than the previous week and the highest since the second week of November 2023, 18 months ago.

Compared with the prior week there were significant increases in both steers and cows, while heifer slaughter held relatively steady at high levels. Plants took 29,049 steers, almost 5,000 head more in the weekly comparison, and 19,417 cows, nearly 4,000 more. Heifers numbered 8,260.

Slaughter at Marfrig’s Tacuarembó plant climbed to 7,209 head, the highest so far this year; it was followed by Las Piedras (5,680) and San Jacinto (4,493). Marfrig processed 16,721 cattle and Minerva 15,708—both the largest weekly tallies of the year.