Production Shortfalls and Food Losses in the Beef Sector

This paper analyzes production shortfalls and food losses in the French beef sector by separately examining dairy and specialized beef herds. Herd dynamics were calibrated using national identification records and age-specific mortality rates, while an experimental slaughter database provided data on condemnations and by-products. Annual mortality losses were estimated at 17–20 kg of live meat per livestock unit (2–3% of total herd live weight), with transport losses deemed negligible. At slaughter, C1 condemnations amounted to 28.8 kt (dairy) and 24.0 kt (beef), representing 5.3% and 2.4% of carcass production. C3 by-products from healthy animal processing totaled 305.7 kt and 510.5 kt. The study concludes that reducing juvenile mortality and cull cow condemnations should be the priority for mitigating losses in the beef sector.