The Scottish Government

These final results indicate that, compared with June 2003:-

• The area of wheat increased by 15 per cent and the area of oilseed rape increased by 12 per cent. The area of oats fell slightly (down two per cent) and the area of barley also fell by 2 per cent.
• The number of pigs fell by four per cent, from 489,000 to 472,000.
• The total poultry flock rose from about 14.5 million to about 16 million.
• There was very little change in the number of sheep, but a slight rise in the number of cattle (up by just over one half of one per cent). The lambing rate (see note 3 below) was 1.09, similar to the 2003 figure.
• The total number of staff employed decreased slightly (down by about one per cent).

Introduction

Table 1: Agricultural Area in Hectares

Table 2: Area (in hectares) of vegetables for human consumption, bulbs and soft fruits

Table 3: Number of Cattle

Table 4: Number of Sheep

Table 5: Number of Pigs

Table 6: Number of Poultry

Table 7: Number of Other Livestock

Table 8: Number of Employees

Table 9: Number of Occupiers and Spouses

NOTES FOR NEWS EDITORS

1. The results relate to the annual June Census of agricultural holdings. 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 they employ.
2. These results cover June 2004 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 2003 Census and previous Censuses. A complete analysis of returns for minor holdings is conducted after this final analysis of the returns from the main holdings. Annual publications in Spring 2005 will provide figures which will include the June 2004 minor holdings results.
3. The lambing rate referred to above is calculated for a particular year by counting the number of lambs as at June divided by the number of sheep put to the ram as at December of the previous year. It is not a true physical rate as it excludes lambs slaughtered or sold live out of Scotland prior to the June Census date.
4. Media may obtain the statistical tables which accompany this news release by telephoning Andrew Ritchie on 0131 244 2687. Non-media may obtain copies by E mailing agric.stats@scotland.gsi.gov.uk or by calling Lynda Reid on 0131 244 6163.

A SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE NATIONAL STATISTICS PUBLICATION