Cattle numbers in Scotland continued to fall while sheep numbers rose, according to the Scottish Government’s December 2019 census.

The cattle herd stood at 1.6m head, which is down 1.8% (30,000) on the year. This is a more rapid decline than was presented in the June census. Dairy cattle numbers fell by nearly 6,000 head on the year, with nearly 2,000 fewer animals in the milking herd classed as over two years with offspring. However, there is more younger stock coming through which may stabilise numbers in the near future.

Declines were seen among all age groups, with the largest fall being among suckler cows (-6,600 head)

The number of female beef cattle saw a larger contraction overall, falling by just over 11,000 head on the year. Declines were seen among all age groups, with the largest fall being among suckler cows (-6,600 head). AHDB indicates this could lead to a contraction in Scottish suckler beef supply in the longer term. Numbers of male and female cattle aged one to two years both fell by over 11,000 head, pointing to tighter beef supply in the short term, while a dip in the number of male calves suggests this trend may continue into the second half of the year.

Sheep growth

Elsewhere, the sheep flock grew in Scotland with the total sheep numbers were up 74,500 head on the year to total just over 5m head. Gains in lamb numbers were behind the increase, with total lambs under a year old rising by 86,000 head on the year to 1.9m head. This, coupled with the expansion in the breeding flock, points to positive lamb production going forward.