Calf registrations in Northern Ireland increased to 527,244 in 2025 from 522,172 in 2024, according to data from the Northern Ireland Food Animal Information System.

Beef-sired calves totalled 383,318, or 72.7% of all registrations, up 12,475 head from the previous year. Dairy-sired calves fell by 7,341 head to 143,926.

Suckler calves made up 51.5% of beef calf registrations in 2025, down from 62.2% in 2021. Their numbers dropped below 200,000, a 1.7% decline from 2024. Dairy-bred beef calves reduced the difference with suckler calves to just over 11,000 head, compared to over 90,000 in 2021.

Limousin and Charolais breeds accounted for 64% of suckler calf registrations. In dairy herds using beef sires, Aberdeen Angus represented 50.5% of registrations, followed by Belgian Blue at 17.9% and Hereford at 9.6%.

Aberdeen Angus-sired calves comprised 31.5% of all beef calf registrations in Northern Ireland during 2025. Dairy-bred Aberdeen Angus calves accounted for 22.9% of total beef calves.

Dairy bull calves formed 20.7% of dairy-sired registrations in 2025, down from 32.4% in 2021, linked to greater use of sexed semen in dairy herds.