UK Livestock Numbers April 18, 2013 12:00 am The results from the December Survey of Agriculture for the UK and each of the devolved regions have now been published. The table below shows a summary of the UK results. The full results can be found at – http://www.defra.gov.uk/statistics/files/defra-stats-foodfarm-landuselivestock-farmstats-dec2012-130314.pdf DECEMBER SURVEY OF AGRICULTURE – UK ‘000 Head Dec 2009 Dec 2010 Dec 2011 Dec 2012 % Change 11-12 CATTLE Dairy Breeding Herd 1,864 1,847 1,800 1,802 0.1% Beef Breeding Herd 1,622 1,660 1,642 1,629 -0.8% SHEEP Total Breeding Flock ¹ 13,842 13,860 14,208 14,265 0.4% PIGS Total Breeding Pigs 497 507 499 509 2.0% Source: DEFRA ¹ The collection of sheep data has been changed. In England data collected on the Sheep and Goat (SAG) Inventory has been used from 2010. In Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland the December Survey data has continued to be used. The results from the Survey show the dairy breeding herd stabilising after falling for a number of years. Whether this is due to some confidence feeding into the sector following milk price increases at the end of 2012 and the Voluntary Code of Practice being agreed, or whether we have fallen to a level where only the committed are left is too early tell. The beef breeding herd has contracted once again, although by less than the 2011 Survey results (-1.1%). On a positive note both beef and dairy female cattle aged between 1 and 2 years show increases by 2.0% and 2.6% respectively. The total number of cattle and calves in the UK has only risen slightly in 2012 by 0.5% since falling last year to its lowest level since the series changed its methodology in 2005. The breeding sheep flock has increased once again although only by 0.4% compared to 2.5% recorded last year. ‘Other sheep and lambs’ are significantly higher than previous years, up 11.7% compared to 2011 most probably due to the large carry-over of lambs as weather conditions throughout 2012 made finishing very difficult. The pig breeding herd, after contracting last year, has expanded again this year. However, there was actually a decrease in the ‘female breeding herd’ of over 2%. It was only a big increase in the numbers of gilts intended for breeding which saw the total rise. This should lead to a younger, more productive herd, but if price rises do not materialise then some of this breeding stock may simply be sold into the finished market.
