The trends between December 2006 and December 2007 show that the number of cattle fell by 2.4 per cent from 1.87 million to 1.83 million. Sheep also decreased, from 5.2 million to 5.1 million (1.6 per cent)and pig numbers were reduced 4.2 per cent from 470,000 to 450,000.

Poultry was the only livestock sector to show an increase, rising by 4.9 per cent from 13.1 million to 13.7 million The area of winter wheat rose by 11.4 per cent from 102,000 hectares to 114,000 hectares and the area of winter barley rose by 6.9 per cent from 55,000 hectares to 59,000 hectares. The area of winter oilseed rape decreased by 14.4 percent from 38,000ha to 33,000ha

The results relate to the annual December agricultural survey of main holdings - i.e. holdings above a certain economic or physical threshold (generally, those of more than one hectare or where the net value of crops & livestock is more than 1.67 European Size Units). The returns are completed by farmers, who provide information on the crops and livestock on the land which they own or rent on a permanent basis.

In 2007 the December agricultural survey covered around 11,100 of the 26,000 main agricultural holdings in Scotland, Since these results are based on a sample, the estimates are subject to a degree of uncertainty.

Please note that poultry numbers in December are subject to some variation due to the nature of operations in this sector which can lead to temporary changes in stock levels.

Further Reading

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