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UK cattle population 1% smaller at 1 June
Wednesday, 6 January 2021
The number of cattle in the UK at 1 June 2020 stood at 9.6 million head, 1% lower than it was the year before, according to the final results of the Defra June survey.
Declines came in nearly all cattle groups. However, the largest decline was in the number of females over 2 years old, particularly those females outside of the breeding herd (Other females >2yrs).
The female breeding herd accounted for 35% of the total number of cattle in the country at 1 June, and fell 1% year-on-year to 3.4 million head. Both the dairy and suckler herds contracted by 1%. This continues the long-term downward trend seen in UK cow numbers.
The only group to record a year-on-year rise in numbers was female cattle aged under 12 months old. BCMS data shows that there has been a rise in the number of beef calves registered in 2020, as well as a rise in numbers of female dairy youngstock. This agrees with the rising use of beef and sexed semen among dairy producers.
Numbers of male cattle fell by 2% overall. All age groups contracted, particularly those aged over 12 months old. Males aged under a year old experienced a modest fall, likely due to higher beef calf registrations largely outweighing lower numbers of dairy males.
Looking by country, England saw the largest annual decline in total cattle numbers (-2%), while Scottish numbers also fell (-1%). Numbers in Wales and Northern Ireland remained largely steady. However, all nations saw declines in their breeding herds.
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