The preliminary results of the June 2008 Agricultural Census have been released by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
These are compiled from a sample survey of all active farms augmented by administrative data. The preliminary results are based on the first 7,000 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 2008 by which time all returns from farmers will have been processed.
The main changes between June 2007 and June 2008 are:
- Cereals: There was a 9% increase in the total area of cereals. The areas of oats and wheat increased by 14% and 15% respectively. The area of winter barley rose by 16% while the area of spring barley rose by 4%.
- Other crops: The area of potatoes was similar to that in 2007 while that of forage maize was 3% higher.
- Cattle: Total cattle numbers were 1% lower than in 2007. The number of dairy cows rose by 2% while the number of beef cows fell by 4%.
- Sheep: There was little change in the number of breeding ewes.
- Pigs: There was little change in the breeding sow herd compared with June 2007.
- Poultry: Numbers of laying hens were 11% lower and the number of broilers 2% higher than in 2007.
- Farmers and workers: There was a 1% fall in the number of farmers in 2008, 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:
- The survey results were prepared by Policy and Economics Division of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dundonald House, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast, BT4 3SB.
- 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. The changes will improve the robustness of the statistics, but the new methodology means a break in the data series that started in 1996.
- 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 2007” (DARD, 2007) and will be repeated in the 2008 issue of this annual publication, available in January 2009. These booklets may be accessed on the Department’s internet site.
- A spreadsheet with summary results of the census is available, in electronic format, for the period 1982 to 2007, 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 will be made for this.
- All recent DARD statistical press releases can be found on the statistical press release section of the DARD Website
- All media queries to DARD Press Office on 028 9052 4619. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.
- Crown Copyright 2008 A National Statistics publication
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