Livestock

The total number of cattle ages two years at least decreased slightly to 936 000 (-0.8%). In this category the stock of male cattle rose by 4.1% while the stock of female cattle decreases by 0.9%.

The number of holdings rearing cattle (on the survey date) fell sharply compared with the last survey six months ago, namely by 1.4% to 71 600 holdings.

About the methodology

The bovine livestock was determined through an evaluation of the Central Cattle Database. Austria is authorised to adopt this procedure under the terms of Commission Decision 2004/412/EC, which regulates the surveys of bovine livestock. The administrative data was consolidated by the Federal Institute of Agricultural Economics, which also subsequently processed the results.

Swine stocks as at December 2010

The number of pigs collected on December 1, 2010 showed a total of 3 134 000 animals (-0.1% compared to 2009). A marginal increase was observed within the number of piglets and young pigs (+0.3% to 1 604 000 animals). The number of pigs for fattening increased during the same period by 0.1% to 1 245 000 pieces while the number of pigs for breeding decreased by 3.1% to 285 000 animals.

The category of piglets - having a smaller weight than 20 kg - increased by 0.6% to 765 000 heads, whereas the category of young pigs - having a weight smaller than 50 kg - remained almost at the same level as last year (840 000 heads). At the same time the category of pigs for fattening - having a weight from 50 to below 80 kg - showed an increase of 2.0% to 637 000 heads.

Within the group of pigs for breeding the number of old breeding sows (2.4% to 227 000 animals) declined and determined the trend of the whole group. The most significant reduction was recognized in the group of young breeding sows; they dropped by 9.6% to 51 600 heads.

Sheep and goat stocks as at December 2010

Compared with the last survey in December 2009, the number of sheep increased by 4.0% to 358 000 heads and the number of goats showed an increase of 5.3% to 71 800 heads.

About the methodology

The survey was based on EU Regulation (EC) No 1165/2008 concerning livestock and meat statistics; implemented under Ordinance Federal Law Gazette II No. 147/2009 (available in German only) issued by the Federal Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Environment and Water Management. So the stock of pigs, sheep and goats was collected by a sample survey at around 7 000 holdings on December 1, 2010.