May 4, 2007

Russia registers lower cattle herds in April

Cattle heads in Russia were slightly down at 0.2 percent year-on-year or 22.2 million heads in April but were up 5.7 percent from 21.0 million head at the start of the year, data from the Russian Federal Statistics Service (FSSS) showed on Thursday (May 3).

Swine population also rose to 15.6 percent to 16.5 million head in the first quarter of 2007 from the same period a year ago. 

Analysts have said it would take more than a year or two to achieve an increase as cattle have a longer reproductive period.

FSSS also reported sheep and goat numbers rose 7.3 percent between January and March to 20.5 million head.