June 10, 2022

UK cattle numbers grow 0.6% to 7.8 million

The British Cattle Movement Service's most recent cattle population figures revealed that the number of cattle in the UK has increased, with the data showing on April 1, there were 7.8 million cattle and calves on British farms, up 0.6% (45,000 head) from a year earlier, the UK Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board reported.

The number of dairy and beef female cattle over two years old (an indicator of the size of the breeding herd) fell by 1.2% year-on-year to 3.2 million head (-39,000 head). Females in the dairy industry shrank by 1.6%, while beef females shrank by 0.8%.

The number of prime animals (heifers, steers, and young bulls aged 12-30 months) in the country reached 1.6 million head, up 4% from the previous year.

All cattle types increased in number, with beef females increasing by 3% (+20,000 head), beef males increasing by 4% (+30,000 head), and dairy males increasing by 7% (+8,000 head).

The number of animals aged 12 months and under was 2.5 million, essentially unchanged (+0.3%) from April 1, 2021. The number of dairy males decreased even more, dropping 13% (22,600 head) year over year, with the decline concentrated in the under 6-month age group. This was insufficient to offset increases in dairy females (+16,500 head) and beef types (+14,500 head).

The UK Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board anticipated that more prime cattle will come forward in the second half of 2022, based on these figures and their Agri Market Outlook. So far in 2022, prime cattle numbers have been tighter than a year ago, supporting the strength seen in finished prices.

Compared to a year ago, the board's estimated slaughter for the last few weeks has shown more cattle forward, with average prices holding steady for several weeks. However, on-farm decisions about cost of production and mitigating high input costs will, in the end, determine future supplies.

-      UK Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board