The number of cattle in Austria is recovering

The long-term trend of reducing the number of cattle in Austria is interrupted. After cattle numbers fell to their lowest levels since World War II at the end of 2020, farmers once again housed more animals last year.

According to Statistics Austria, there were 1.87 million HEAD of cattle on farms as of December 1, 2021; this was about 14,700 animals, or 0.8% more than twelve months ago. The number of young cattle under the age of one year increased by 2.1% to 611 thousand heads. An increase of 1.6% to 421,000 heads was recorded for young cattle aged one to two years.

This development suggests a further increase in cattle production in the future. On the other hand, the number of animals in the age category of at least two years continued to decline, falling by 0.5% to 838,000 heads. The dairy herd remained stable at 526,000 heads; this is 0.3% or 1,000 dairy cows more than at the end of 2020.

The number of farms continues to decline

Structural changes continue. Now there are 1363 livestock farms in the country; this represents a 2.5% decrease while the average herd density has increased to 35 cattle per farm. The number of slaughtered cattle last year remained almost unchanged and amounted to 591,000 heads. Calf slaughter decreased by 1.1% to 55.6 thousand heads.

Last year, Austrian farmers also reduced the number of pigs. Here, the Viennese statisticians report a reduction of 0.7 percent, or about 21,000 head, to 2.786 million head compared to 2020. Pigs fattening decreased significantly in the 50 kg to 80 kg weight category, by 3.7% to 537,000 heads, while in the 80 to 110 kg segment there was an increase of 4.4% to 484,000 heads. Also increased the number of pigs weighing over 110 kg - by 2.1% to 153,000 animals.

Marketing problems likely contributed to the increase in heavier animals. Among breeding sows, the number of both gilts and older animals decreased by 2.1% and 1%, respectively.