THERE has been a 4% fall in beef cows, as farmers and crofters appear to have kept more sheep.

That's one of the key stats revealed by NFU Scotland’s 2023 Intentions Survey, which closed on January 10. Crucially, it pointed to a further shrinkage of Scotland’s iconic beef sector, with many farmers reducing cow numbers, alongside indications that some are replacing them with sheep.

The survey was set up to assess the scale of change that unprecedented input costs and flat-lining output prices are having on business plans across all sectors. Analysis of responses from livestock farmers and crofters hints to an average beef herd size reduction of 4% versus last year, but an average increase in flock size of 2%.

However, initial analysis also points to unproductive cows being removed from the national herd, tempted by high cull cow prices, which in theory should mean a more efficient power base.

According to the Scottish Government agricultural census, between 2011 and 2021, there was a 12% decline in the total Scottish beef herd to 413,000 cows. Over the same period, the Scottish ewe flock has fallen by less than 3% to 2.57m ewes in 2021.

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Analysis of the responses indicates that, to improve resilience, livestock farmers and crofters are already reducing fertiliser usage; increasing the amount of home-grown feeds; incorporating nutrient management plans to improve soil fertility and increasingly outwintering stock, rather than housing them over the colder months. This highlights that the industry is proactively adapting to and mitigating the impacts of soaring input costs, said NFUS.

In terms of making a difference, an increase in price at slaughter and retail would be the most helpful for beef and sheep farmers said respondents, who were also supportive of an increased marketing drive for Scotch Beef and Lamb.

Other mechanisms highlighted as being helpful included: Greater clarity from Scottish Government on how future support for beef and sheep producers will be delivered and what conditionality will be attached to payments; developing greater co-operation between producers; and improving access to technology to improve herd/flock performance and resilience to continue to deliver on food.

Discussions with other farmers, vets and advisors were deemed the best way of gathering information on how to improve their business. On-farm events were noted as 'helpful and valuable' to livestock farmers, echoing the NFUS' livestock committee’s support for the new monitor farm programme.

Livestock committee chair, Hugh Fraser, a beef and sheep producer from Scaniport, near Inverness, said: “The intentions survey provided a great base of evidence particularly for our beef and sheep sectors. For far too long we have anecdotally discussed the decline in beef cow numbers in Scotland. These results highlight the scale and depleting confidence levels of beef-producing members.

“All livestock businesses are unique in that we are making business decisions which we will not see the returns from for two to three years. That is why it is imperative that the industry is given support and clarity from the Scottish Government on the future so that we can confidently invest in our farms.

"The results highlight how we are a proactive and innovative sector which is willing to adapt to provide high quality, sustainable red meat if given the support and fair returns from the supply chain," he added.

“The Scottish livestock sector must be acknowledged for the critical role it plays in a sustainable healthy diet, supporting domestic food security, and supporting biodiversity. NFUS urges the Scottish Government to bare this in mind when designing future support to ensure beef and sheep farmers can reach their full potential while continuing to deliver high quality food and supporting ambitions around addressing climate and biodiversity.”