The main changes between June 2006 and June 2007 are:
Farm businesses: The number of active farm businesses included in the June 2007 census, 26,146, was 593 fewer than in 2006. This is a net change, with some new businesses being created and others merging or ceasing to be active. The downward trend in the number of farms averages 2.0% per year over both the past five years and the past ten years.
Crops: There was a 2% increase in the total area of Cereals between 2006 and 2007. The area of winter barley increased by 3% while there was no change in the area of spring barley. The area of oats increased by 9%, with wheat increasing by 5%. There was no change in the area of Potatoes but there was a significant increase in the area of forage maize (18%).
Cattle: The total number of cattle on farms in June 2007 was 2 per cent lower than in 2006. The number of beef cows fell by 3% but the total dairy cow numbers increased by 2 per cent. Cattle for rearing and fattening were down by 3%.
Sheep: The number of ewes fell by 3 per cent when compared with June 2006 and there were 1 % fewer lambs.
Pigs: Overall, in June 2007 there were 6 per cent more pigs on farms compared with June 2006. However, the breeding herd was down by 1 %.
Poultry: Total poultry numbers decreased by 6% since June 2006. This was due, in the main, to a 11% decrease in the number of broilers. The breeding flock decreased by 4% and the number of laying hens, rose by 9%.
Farmers and workers: In 2007 there were 2% fewer farmers and business partners, reflecting the change in the number of farms. The total labour force was down by 2%.
Further information from the Agricultural & Horticultural Census is available on the Statistics section of the DARD website where spreadsheets show crop areas, numbers of livestock, farmers and workers and farms for the past 20 years. A new spreadsheet has been added showing the historic trend in the numbers of farms with each of the main enterprises, such as dairy cows or pigs, and the average enterprise size.
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) which is available in full on www.dardni.gov.uk. The 2007 version of this annual publication will be available in hard copy and on that site in January 2008.
Notes to Editors:
- Tables can be accessed on DARD website June 2007 agricultural and horticultural census final results
- All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, tel: 028 9052 4619. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
- Crown Copyright 2007
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