Preliminary results of the June Agricultural Census 2010

The preliminary results of the June 2010 Agricultural Census have been released by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The statistics are compiled from a survey of all active farms augmented by administrative data. The preliminary results are based on the first 8,000 returns and, whilst they should give an indication of the main trends, are liable to be amended in the light of returns received and processed later. Final results will be published in November 2010 by which time all returns from farmers will have been processed.

The main changes between June 2009 and June 2010 are:

• Cereals: There was a 5% decrease in the total area of cereals. The area of spring barley decreased by 22%, while the area of winter barley rose by 42%. The area of oats also rose by 18%.
• Other crops: There was little change in the area of potatoes, while the area of arable silage rose by 10% and the area of forage maize decreased by 9%.
• Cattle: Total cattle numbers were 1% higher than in 2009. The number of dairy cows decreased by 1% while the number of beef cows rose by 1%.
• Sheep: There was a 3% decrease in the number of breeding ewes.
• Pigs: There was a 3% increase in the breeding sow herd compared with June 2009.
• Poultry: Numbers of laying hens were 3% higher than in 2009 while there was little change in the number of broilers.
• Farmers and workers: There was a 2% fall in the number of farmers in 2010, and the total number of persons working on farms also fell by 1%.

Tables giving more details of the June Agricultural Census preliminary results are available on the DARD website.

Notes to editors:

1. The survey results were prepared in Farm Surveys Branch, Policy and Economics Division of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dundonald House, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3SB.
2. All recent DARD statistical press releases can be found on the DARD website.
3. The survey results were prepared in Farm Surveys Branch, Policy and Economics Division of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
4. In an effort to reduce the compliance burden on farmers, the survey form sent to farmers omitted most of the cattle and all of the poultry questions. Survey information was then augmented with data from APHIS for missing cattle variables, and from the Northern Ireland Bird Register for poultry.
5. Full details of the coverage of the census and of terms used were given in the booklet “The Agricultural Census in Northern Ireland: Results for June 2009” (DARD, 2009) and will be repeated in the 2010 issue of this annual publication, available in January 2011. These booklets may be accessed on the Department’s internet site, free of charge.
6. A spreadsheet with summary results of the census is available, in electronic format, for the period 1981 to 2009, from Policy and Economics Division, Dundonald House, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3SB. This series is also available on the Department’s internet site. Special analyses can be undertaken on request but a charge may be made for this.
7. All media queries should be directed to the DARD Press Office on 028 9052 4619. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
8. All recent DARD statistical press releases can be found on the DARD website.
9. Released according to the Statement of Compliance with the Pre-release to Official Statistics Order (NI) 2009.
10. Crown Copyright 2010 A National Statistics publication
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