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More Cows in England's Livestock Census

ENGLAND - The latest census of pig and cattle numbers in England in December 2013. The dairy herd has increased by 1.5 per cent, while the decline in the beef herd over the last couple of years shows signs of reversing, writes Jackie Linden.

13 March 2014

3 minute read

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Pig Numbers

The total number of pigs in England increased by 5.5 per cent since December 2012 to just over 3.6 million, and reverses the decline seen over the last few years.

The rise was driven by a 7.0 per cent increase in the number of fattening pigs to just under 3.2 million. This was partially offset, however, by a fall in the number of breeding pigs by 4.2 per cent to 411,000 animals in December 2013.

	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	% change 2013 / 2012
Table 1. Pigs on commercial agricultural holdings in England on 1 December (thousands)
Total pigs	3,575	3,514	3,489	3,417	3,607	5.5
- Breeding pigs	415	415	415	429	411	-4.2
- Female breeding herd	346	342	337	332	326	-2.0
- Sows in pig	241	223	281	227	226	-0.5
- Gilts in pig	50	57	56	57	50	-13.3
- Other sows	55	63	63	48	50	4.4
- Other breeding pigs	69	72	78	97	86	-11.9
- Boars being used for service	14	14	13	13	13	-3.3
- Gilts intended for first-time breeding	55	59	65	84	73	-13.3
- Fattening pigs (incl. barren sows)	3,160	3,100	3,074	2,988	3,195	7.0

In December 2013 compared to a year earlier, there are noteworthy double-digit reductions in two categories, namely pregnant gilts and gilts intended for first-time breeding, both of which are down by more than 13 per cent. These changes point to further and significant reductions in the English breeding herd ahead.

Cattle Numbers

According to the latest census, published by the agriculture department last week, the total number of cattle and calves in England increased by 0.3 per cent to 5.3 million between December 2012 and December 2013, continuing the slight upward trend in numbers for a second year.

England’s dairy herd increased by 1.5 per cent to 1.1 million while the beef herd continued to fall, down by 2.6 per cent to 699,000 during 2013.

	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	% change 2013 / 2012
Table 2. Cattle and calves on agricultural holdings in England on 1 December (thousands)
Total cattle & calves	5,465	5,434	5,275	5,308	5,323	0.3
All female cattle	3,955	3,946	3,849	3,843	3,843	0.0
Aged 2 years or more	2,390	2,380	2,276	2,254	2,269	0.7
Total breeding herd	1,911	1,909	1,851	1,841	1,838	-0.1
- Beef herd	731	745	730	718	699	-2.6
- Dairy herd	1,181	1,164	1,122	1,123	1,139	1.5
Other female cattle	478	471	425	413	430	4.2
- Beef	215	206	169	171	188	10.1
- Dairy	263	265	256	242	242	0.0
Aged 1 to 2 years	760	741	742	761	764	0.4
- Beef	456	422	419	434	436	0.6
- Dairy	303	318	323	328	328	0.1
Less than 1 year	805	825	830	828	810	-2.1
- Beef	478	491	494	488	472	-3.3
- Dairy	325	335	337	339	338	-0.4
All male cattle	1,510	1,488	1,427	1,466	1,480	1.0
Aged 2 years or more	215	202	175	176	202	14.5
Aged 1 to 2 years	564	550	532	544	562	3.3
Less than 1 year	731	737	720	746	717	-3.8
Figures sourced from the Cattle Tracing System (CTS). Data include returns from all holdings with cattle so are not subject to survey

The number of beef cows aged two years or more that are not destined for the breeding herd was 10 per cent higher in December 2013 than 12 months previously, while the number of male cattle of this age was up by more than 14 per cent.

These are signs that the beef industry has taken considerable steps towards recovery from a crisis in 2010-11, when beef prices to producers were very low.