The National dairy and beef cattle population continues to increase in recent years. Total dairy youngstock numbers for 2021 (as of 1st June) stand at 1,436,907. This figure rose 5% from 1,368,921 in 2020. However, this figure has been trending sideways over the past 10 years failing to show any major up or downward trend in numbers. The below graphic shows the national dairy youngstock population figures over the past 5 years. When we look closer we can see that the number of dairy females is up 70,522 over the past 10 years while the numbers of dairy males have fallen by 43,618 over the same period.

Total beef youngstock numbers for 2021 (as of 1st June) stand at 3,376,960. This figure decreased 0.78% from 3,403,656 in 2020. However, this figure has been on the increase over the past 10 years having increased by 10.3% since 2012. The above graphic shows the national beef youngstock population figures over the past 5 years. When we look closer we can see that the number of beef females is up 152,867 over the past 10 years while the numbers of dairy males have also seen an increase by 162,644 over the same period.