Census reveals cattle increase
This is the main conclusion which can be drawn from the June 2014 Irish cattle survey recently published by the Central Statistics Office.
The total number of cattle on the ground in Ireland in June was unchanged at nearly seven million, but male cattle aged over two years were up 17%, and female cattle aged over two years were up by 13%.
The increase is attributed to increasing calf crops and the sharp fall in live exports in 2011 and 2012.
Live exports recovered partially in 2013, with significantly more calves exported to France, Belgium and Spain, which has resulted in the number of younger cattle in Ireland in most categories falling compared to June, 2013. The number of cattle between one and two years of age was reported to be down 44,000 head on a year earlier (males down 6%, females up 0.9%).
Cattle under one year of age are down 90,000 head (males down 6%, females up 3.2%).
Total cattle aged two years and over increased by 116,000 (15.1%); cattle under one year decreased by 90,100 (4.6%).
For beef farmers, the figures point to an unfavourable market in the short term withlower beef supplies in 2015 and beyond. The number of dairy cows has increased 5.5%, and beef cow numbers were down 1.8%, according to the census.
The June crops and livestock survey provisional estimates also show that while total sheep numbers decreased 2.4%, ewes under two years decreased 15.6% and rams 8.8%.
While the area under cereals decreased 1.2%, spring cereals decreased 23.1%, including a drop of 60.7% in spring oats (12,900 hectares). The area under winter cereals increases to 54.5%, including an increase of 87.9% in winter oats.
The area under potatoes in June decreased 10.8%, year-on-year.
