Defra June survey final results for 2019 released

Thursday, 19 December 2019

By Rebecca Wright

The number of lambs on UK farms on the 1 June 2019 is pegged at 16.7 million head, up around 50,000 head year-on-year, according to the Defra June survey. Naturally, since it is now December, many of these lambs will since have been slaughtered. AHDB has previously cast doubts over the results from the June survey this year, find out more about the number of lambs available for slaughter moving forwards in the AHDB December outlook.

There has been a divergence of trend between the nations of the UK. England and Northern Ireland have both recorded declines, whereas Wales and Scotland have somewhat surprisingly recorded large increases. Such divergence is unusual, adding to some of the doubts over the results.

The number of breeding ewes was down overall, with a significant 4% drop in those intended for entry into the breeding flock. At the time of the survey, the direction Brexit was taking was uncertain, and that may have affected some farmer intentions.


Sign up for regular updates

You can subscribe to receive Beef and Lamb market news straight to your inbox. Simply fill in your contact details on our online form.

Visit the Keep in touch page

While AHDB seeks to ensure that the information contained on this webpage is accurate at the time of publication, no warranty is given in respect of the information and data provided. You are responsible for how you use the information. To the maximum extent permitted by law, AHDB accepts no liability for loss, damage or injury howsoever caused or suffered (including that caused by negligence) directly or indirectly in relation to the information or data provided in this publication.

All intellectual property rights in the information and data on this webpage belong to or are licensed by AHDB. You are authorised to use such information for your internal business purposes only and you must not provide this information to any other third parties, including further publication of the information, or for commercial gain in any way whatsoever without the prior written permission of AHDB for each third party disclosure, publication or commercial arrangement. For more information, please see our Terms of Use and Privacy Notice or contact the Director of Corporate Affairs at info@ahdb.org.uk  © Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. All rights reserved. 

Topics:

Sectors:

Tags:

×