The results of the December Agricultural Survey show that while there were increases in sheep, pigs and poultry in Scotland, cattle numbers fell to their lowest since the 1950s - down 1.4 per cent, to 1.71m.
December sheep numbers increased 1.7 per cent to 5.04m. Pig numbers continued to rise, with an 11 per cent increase to 368,000, driven by an increase in the number of fattening pigs.
The area of winter-sown crops in December 2016 was up on the previous December at 196,000 hectares, with 2,400 more hectares of oilseed rape, 2,300 hectares more oats, and 400 hectares more barley.
NFU Scotland's Livestock Committee chair, Charlie Adam said: "The fact that we are at a 50-year low for cattle numbers and declining is very worrying. For beef producers, higher costs, tighter carcase specifications and a reduction on the maximum value a carcase can achieve will be having an effect.
"Also, changes to support systems to area-based payments will have seen large reductions for many of the cattle breeders and finishers in the "engine room" where the bulk of our cattle are produced. There isn't enough profit, if any, in beef production without support. At current levels of support, it will take a lot more than efficiency improvements to change the fortunes of beef production - it needs market prices to rise substantially."
Market round-up
United Auctions sold 899 store heifers at Stirling on Wednesday to a top of 271p per kg and an average of 218.3p (-0.4p on the week), while 1249 store, beef-bred bullocks peaked at 275.4p and levelled at 227.4p (-0.4p). Forty-four store, B&W bullocks sold to 149.5p and averaged 132.8p (-19p).
C&D Auction Marts Ltd sold 3 prime heifers in Dumfries on Wednesday to a top of 224p and an average of 207p, while a prime bull fetched 157p.
There were 46 OTM cattle presented in the rough ring when beef cows sold to £1096 and 162p to average 127.9p, while dairy cows peaked at £1124.55 and 144p to level at 115.4p.
The firm also had 782 prime hoggs forward that sold to £109.50 and 183p per kg to average 171.8p (+4.7p).
A nice show of 343 cast sheep saw heavy ewes sell to £132.50 for Texels and average £81.36 (-£5.23), while light ewes peaked at £84.50 for Cheviots and levelled at £47.25 (-£6.67).
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd sold 817 prime hoggs in Newton Stewart on Wednesday to a top of £85.20 and 186.1p to average 159p (-2.5p). Included in that overall average were 427 Blackfaces that peaked at £81 and 168.1p to level at 157p.
The 166 cast sheep forward saw ewes sell to £107 for Texels and £68.50 for Blackfaces.
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