Key points

• Cattle numbers continue to decline, following a long-term trend, with a three per cent decrease in 2023 from the five year average (2017 – 2021).  A decline in numbers of calves and female beef cattle contributed to the decrease.
• Sheep numbers in 2023 fell by two per cent compared with the five year average. However, numbers remain in line with the long-term trend over the past 10 years.
• This year winter planting rose by four per cent compared with the five year average. This was followed by a decrease of two per cent in spring planting. The area of land used for growing cereals remains stable compared to the five year average. The area used for planting oilseeds rose by 25 per cent compared to the five year average.
• Growing areas of vegetables for human consumption, excluding potatoes, grew by seven per cent compared to the five year average. The amount of area used to grow vegetables for stockfeed decreased by five per cent. The area of potatoes dropped by six per cent compared to the five year average.
• The total workforce on agricultural holdings remained stable, increasing by less than one per cent to 67,000 people in 2023 compared to the five year average.

Download detailed tables of the Scottish Agricultural Census: June 2023 results.

The following infographic displays a summary of the key results of the Scottish Agricultural Census: June 2023