Ireland’s livestock population figures from December 2021 have been made available by the Central Statistics Office. They throw light on potential supplies of cattle, sheep and pigs for 2022.
The number of cattle in Ireland has increased by 1.8% to 6.6 million, sheep numbers rose by 2.9% to nearly 4 million, and the number of pigs rose by 2.1% to 1.7 million.
Cattle
The number of cattle aged two years and over was tighter compared to the same point a year ago, down 4% (-13,800 head). However, the number of cattle aged 1-2 years was 4% (68,000 head) higher, while the number of cattle less than a year old rose by 2.5%.
This increase in cattle supply is expected to boost Irish beef production in 2022, particularly in the second half of the year.
Dairy cow numbers increased by 3.4% to 1.5 million, while the number of beef cows declined again to 890,000 head.
Sheep
The number of ewes in Ireland increased by 2.1% year-on-year to 2.7 million head. The increase was driven by more ewes aged two years and over, while the number of ewes aged under two years old fell notably (-18%).
For non-breeding sheep, numbers increased by 5.1% year-on-year to 1.2 million.
Pigs
Non-breeding pig numbers grew by 2.4% year-on-year to 1.6 million, driven by a 13% increase in the number of pigs under 20kg. Every other weight band contracted in size, particularly those weighing 20kg-50kg.
The number of breeding pigs declined by 1.3%, largely due to a fall in the number of in-pig sows. In-pig gilts also experienced some decline.
