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GB cattle herd smaller again in October
Thursday, 3 December 2020
The number of cattle on the ground in Great Britain declined again in October, according to population data from the British Cattle Movement Service.
At 1 October, the total GB cattle population stood at just under 8 million head, 2% lower (-155,700 head) than the same point a year ago. This continues the trend seen over the last two years.
Within this, the number of all cattle under 30 months fell by 1% (-68,500 head) to just under 5 million head, with the greatest decline seen in dairy males. Numbers of beef cattle also slipped. The breeding herd (OTM dairy and beef females) contracted at a slightly greater rate, down 3% year-on-year to 2.9 million head.
Prime cattle supplies
Short-term supplies of prime cattle (dairy males and beef cattle of both sexes aged 12-30 months, accounting for suckler replacements) appeared to remain tighter on the year, with 5% (-83,400 head) fewer animals recorded at 1 October. All categories remained tighter; beef females by 3%, beef males by 4% and dairy males by 19% year-on-year.
Looking forward, the number of animals available for beef production under 12 months old (dairy males and beef cattle of both sexes) remains virtually unchanged on the year at just under 2 million head. However, there has been movement within the age group. As was seen in July, a rise in the number of beef animals has offset a lower number of dairy males. According to BCMS data, registrations of beef calves are up 1% in the year to August.
Breeding herd
The dairy and suckler breeding herds continued to shrink as at 1 October, down by 3% (-48,200 head) and 2% (-31,500 head) year-on-year, respectively. This follows a long-term trend of decline for both herds. However, the number of dairy females under 12 months old has been in annual growth since January, which continued in October (+5%). This may signal some stabilisation in the future dairy herd.
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