French Cattle Numbers Down
FRANCE - Total French cattle numbers fell two per cent year-on-year as at May 2011 to 19.01 million head, after remaining stable for two years, reports Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA).
MLA reports that both the beef and dairy herd decreased approximately one per cent on May 2010 to 4.2 million and 3.5 million, respectively.
The number of heifers in the herd fell six per cent year-on-year to 2.15 million head, indicating further declines in the cow herd in the future (European Market Survey).
Feed shortages associated with drought earlier in the year, in addition to the poor financial situation in the European region may result in a further cull of the beef cow herd. Cow slaughter was up eight per cent year-on-year during the first six months of 2011.
TheCattleSite News Desk