National cattle herd down 3.3% in December 2024

According to the Central Statistics Office (CSO), the Irish national cattle herd was 3.3% or 217,700 head lower in December 2024 when compared to the corresponding period in 2023. Reductions were also recorded in the national pig herd and sheep flock.

Totalling 6.3 million head, and as presented in the CSO’s Livestock Survey December 2024 data, reductions were recorded in both the national dairy cow and suckler (other cow) herds. The number of dairy cows fell by 2.0% to 1,481,300, with suckler (other) cows dropped by 6.2% to 767,800 head.

Excluding cows and bulls, the CSO data shows there was a decrease in the number of other cattle. Male cattle, aged 1-2 years, decreased by 54,000 (-6.9%) and female cattle, aged 1-2 years, declined by 49,500 (-4.9%). However, the number of heifers increased by 6.6%, while male cattle aged 2 years and over increased marginally by 0.3%.

Along with presenting data on the national cattle herd in December, the CSO data also quantified pig and sheep numbers.

Commenting on the release, Stephanie Kelleher, Statistician in the Agriculture Section of the CSO, said: “The total number of pigs increased by 4.7% in December 2024 to 1,473,700. The number of breeding pigs was down by 3.6% while other pigs was up by 5.5%, with the largest increase in pigs 80 kg and over (+9.2%). 

“Provisional figures for the total number of sheep showed a decrease of 103,900 (-2.8%) compared with December 2023. The number of breeding sheep was down by 73,100 (-2.8%) while the number of other sheep also dropped by 30,800 (-2.8%)."