The Irish suckler cow population is showing signs of stabilising, with numbers declining by just over 3,000 head or 0.5% in 2025 when compared to 2024.

Speaking at the Bord Bia Meat Marketing Seminar last week, the Irish food board's beef and livestock sector manager, Joe Burke expressed optimism that the higher prices for weanlings seen in 2025 will encourage "more stability" in suckler cow numbers.