Livestock Numbers Increase in 2013

Livestock numbers from the December Survey show that there were 5.3m cattle and calves in England between December 2012 and December 2013, an increase of 0.3% according to Defra. The dairy herd increased by 1.5% to 1.1m but the beef herd continued to decrease by 2.6% to 699,000 during 2013.

There were 3.6m pigs in England in December 2013 an increase of 5.5% since December 2012. Fattening pigs increased by 7% to 3.2m while breeding pigs decreased by 4.2% to 411,000 in December 2013.

The total number of sheep and lambs in England between December 2012 and December 2013 increased by 1.6% to 10.9m. The female breeding stock increased by 6.3% to 6.9m. Other sheep and lambs fell by 5.7% to 4m against the upward trend.

UK Livestock Slaughter Statistics For May

The key points in Defra's latest information on slaughterings of cattle, sheep and pigs for May 2011 are that at 170,000 there was a 4% increase in the number of UK prime cattle slaughterings over May 2010. Beef and veal were 7% up on May 2010 with 74,000 tonnes. Sheep slaughterings were also 4% up on last year at 727,000 head. Mutton and lamb were 4% up with 17,000 tonnes. Pigs increased 3% to 718,000 tonnes compared to May 2010. Pigmeat production was 59,000 tonnes, an increase of 3% on May last year.

Mutton And Lamb Up 5%

The latest monthly information on livestock slaughterings of cattle, sheep and pigs from Defra shows that prime cattle slaughterings were up 1% in April 2011 on April 2010 at 204,000 tonnes. Beef and veal production was 86,000 tonnes also 1% up on last year. Sheep and pigs were 4% up on last year. Mutton and lamb production was up 5% at 23,000 tonnes and pigmeat production was up 4% at 72,000 tonnes.

Defra Releases December Survey Results

Defra recently released statistics from the December Survey as at 2010 giving details of crops and pigs and population estimates of cattle and sheep.

The wheat cropping area remained stable again last year decreasing by 0.5% to 1.8m hectares. Winter oilseed rape areas increased by 12% to 655,000 hectares and the winter barley area decreased by 8.5% to 310,000 hectares. The area of arable land to be left out of production in 2010-11 increased by 9.3% and is 248,000 hectares. The area may change depending on factors like market conditions and the weather. The amount of hay produced in 2010 was 2m tonnes and the grass silage produced amounted to 20.5m tonnes. Silage from other crops totalled 5m tonnes.

On the livestock side, the total number of cattle and calves decreased by 1% to 5.4m. Pigs decreased in number by 1.7% from 3.6m to 3.5m and there were 415,000 breeding pigs. Sheep and lambs remained stable at 9.9m.

December Survey of Agriculture 2009

The December Survey of Agriculture in England 2009 gives data showing the winter crops areas and livestock numbers of agricultural holdings in England as of 1 December 2009.

The area of wheat sown by 1 December 2009 increased by 10.9% on 2008 to 1.8m hectares. The winter OSR area increased by 9% to 589 thousand hectares from 541 thousand hectares and winter barley decreased 4.8% to 342 thousand hectares. Oats and field beans increased to 83 and 88 thousand hectares respectively. The area of arable land intended to be left out of production in 2009/10 is 226 thousand hectares more or less unchanged from 2009.

Hay production increased in 2009 by 6.3% to 2.2m tonnes. Silage production from grass decreased by 2.4% to18.4m tonnes. Silage produced from other crops increased by 4.2% to 4.6m tonnes.

There were a total of 5.5m cattle and calves in England in December 2009. An increase of 1% from 5.4m in 2008. The dairy herd decreased by 1.4% to 1.2m which offset an increase in the beef herd of 1.1% to 731,000. The total breeding herd remained more or less unchanged at 1.9m.

The total number of pigs in England in 2009 increased by 1.3% from 3.7m in 2008 to 3.8m in 2009. The number of breeding pigs increased by 4% to 438,000 in December 2009 from 354,000 in 2008. Fattening pigs increased to 3.3m. The increased numbers may be due partly to lower costs and steady prices which has resulted in amny producers seeing profits.

Sheep and lambs in England decreased by 3.8% to 9.9m in 2009. The female breeding flock decreased by 2.2% to 6.2m continuing a downward trend beginning in 2004. Sheep prices have remained good but supply has been reduced due to the reduction in the size of the breeding flock.