These are compiled from a sample survey of all active farms augmented by administrative data. The preliminary results are based on the first 9,000 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 2007 by which time all returns from farmers will have been processed.
The main changes between June 2006 and June 2007 are:
Cereals:
There was no change in the total area of cereals. The areas of oats and wheat increased by 3% and 2% respectively. The area of winter barley rose by 1% while the area of spring barley fell by 1%.
Other crops:
The area of potatoes was 4% higher than in 2006; that of forage maize was also 4% higher. Arable silage was 6% lower.
Cattle:
Total cattle numbers were 2% lower than in 2006, though the number of dairy cows and dairy heifers in calf with first calf both rose by 2%.
Sheep:
There was a 4% reduction in the number of breeding ewes.
Pigs:
There was a 2% decrease in the breeding sow herd compared with June 2006, with a fall of 1% in the number of pigs being fattened.
Poultry:
Numbers of laying hens were 23% higher and the number of broilers increased by 14%.
Farmers and workers:
There was a 3% fall in the number of farmers in 2007, and the total number of persons working on farms fell by 1%.
National Statistics are produced to high professional standards set out in the National Statistics Code of Practice. They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure that they meet customer needs. They are produced free from any political interference. You can also find National Statistics on the Internet – go to www.statistics.gov.uk.
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
- The survey results were prepared by Farm Surveys Branch 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. To ease comparison a back series dating to 2005 has been created for cattle and these numbers appear in this press release.
- 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 2006” (DARD, 2006) and will be repeated in the 2007 issue of this annual publication, available in January 2008. These booklets may be accessed on the Department’s internet site http://www.dardni.gov.uk/j07-prelim-press-release-28-08-2007.pdf/ .
- A spreadsheet with summary results of the census is available, in electronic format, for the period 1981 to 2006, 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 media queries to DARD Press Office Tel: 028 9052 4619. Out of hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.
