UK's cattle numbers on the decline

The total number of cattle in England fell further in 2008 as the breeding herd continues shrinking, provisional DEFRA figures revealed.

DEFRA's December agriculture survey found that the total number of cattle and calves fell 1.8 percent on-year to 5.4 million.

A 3.9-percent decrease in the breeding herd and 4.6-percent decline in dairy herd underpinned the falls, resulting from last year's high feed prices, DEFRA said.

Agribusiness consultant Ashley Lilley said several other issues also caused stock numbers to decline, including bovine TB and extra costs resulting from new Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) rules.

Lilley said the compliance with new slurry storage requirements without grant funding or tax allowances for the average dairy business drives costs up by at least GBP50,000.

More farmers are also turning to dairy cows, which affects the supply of beef cattle coming through. Some recent store prices are astronomical at GBP1,000 plus, which causes some to question whether any money can be made, Lilley said.

Loss of cattle to bovine TB also increases the cost of replacements at a time when milk prices were falling, he said.

Lilley urges all farmers to examine their production and its costs before deciding what they can afford to pay for stock.

The DEFRA survey also found that wheat area in December 2008 declined 14 percent on-year to 1.6 million hectares. The decrease was attributed to lower grain prices, high fertiliser prices and poor weather.