The UK's suckler herd has fallen by almost 7% in the past four years, according to estimates from the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
Cattle numbers stand at almost 9.7m overall, with dairy cows up by over 3% to 1.88m head, while the beef herd fell 2% to 1.54m head. There was an increase in 2014 calf registrations, with female calves up 2.8%, offsetting a small decline in male calf numbers.
ADVERTISEMENT
Concern
It is of great concern that a country which enjoys favoured beef prices compared with its European neighbours. plus access to cheap feed with food and drink industry by product, is declining.
The other worry is that these figures haven’t reflected the impact of the new CAP arrangements which have hit the specialised suckler beef producer hardest of all.
In addition to an increase to dairying, there is evidence of land use being dedicated to producing grass for anaerobic digestion.
Register for free to read this story and our free stories.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe to get unlimited access.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to the site until next Wednesday at 9pm.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact support.
The UK's suckler herd has fallen by almost 7% in the past four years, according to estimates from the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
Cattle numbers stand at almost 9.7m overall, with dairy cows up by over 3% to 1.88m head, while the beef herd fell 2% to 1.54m head. There was an increase in 2014 calf registrations, with female calves up 2.8%, offsetting a small decline in male calf numbers.
Concern
It is of great concern that a country which enjoys favoured beef prices compared with its European neighbours. plus access to cheap feed with food and drink industry by product, is declining.
The other worry is that these figures haven’t reflected the impact of the new CAP arrangements which have hit the specialised suckler beef producer hardest of all.
In addition to an increase to dairying, there is evidence of land use being dedicated to producing grass for anaerobic digestion.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525.
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address. Please click on the link in this email to reset your password. If you can't find it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you can't find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
ENTER YOUR LOYALTY CODE:
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
SHARING OPTIONS