This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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June 2006 Agriculture Census
20/09/2006
Provisional estimates from the June 2006 Agriculture Census were issued today
They indicate that, compared with the final results of the June 2005 Agricultural Census,
- The total number of cattle decreased by 30,000, or 1.6 per cent, to 1.929 million
- The total number of sheep fell by 285,000, or 3.6 per cent, to 7.598 million
- The total number of pigs increased by 7,000, or 1.6 per cent, to 476,000
- The total size of the poultry flock fell by 663,000, or 4.5 per cent, to 14.041 million
- The total area of combine harvested crops decreased by 14,000 hectares or 3.0 per cent to 439,000 hectares. Much of this decease was due to a 6.7 per cent fall in the area of barley. The area of oilseed rape fell by 4.6 per cent, whilst wheat increased by 4.3 per cent
- The total number of staff employed was little changed, although there was a 4.8 per cent drop in casual or seasonal staff
The results relate to the annual June Census of agricultural holdings. Census returns are completed by farmers; these results are provisional for a number of reasons which include late returns and outstanding queries not yet resolved etc. The returns provide information on the crops and livestock on the land which is owned or rented on a permanent basis by farmers, and the labour employed.
These results cover June 2006 returns for main holdings - i.e. holdings above a certain economic or physical threshold. For the remaining holdings (minor holdings) an estimate is included based on the June 2005 Census and previous Censuses. A complete analysis of returns for minor holdings is conducted after the final analysis of the returns from the main holdings in October. Final results of the June 2006 Census are due to be published on October 25.
This release of June Census results contains minor revisions for the years 2003, 2004 and 2005. These revisions have been made to correct an error in the programs used to estimate agricultural activity for non-responders. Although most of these revisions are small, they are all in a downward direction.