§ Lord HYLTONasked Her Majesty's Government:
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- (i) how many dairy cows, heifers and calves there were in Great Britain in 1977, 1978 and 1979; and
- (ii) whether they can estimate the probable increase in milk production per cow in 1980 and subsequent years as compared with 1979.
Earl FERRERSThe numbers of dairy cows, heifers and calves in Great Britain in June in each of the three years 1977, 1978 and 1979 were as follows:—
1977 1978 1979 Dairy Cows 3,015,327 3,013,277 3,023,503 Dairy heifers 586,030 624,969 627,638 Calves— Dairy and Beef (2 years old and over) 185,217 181,196 185,949 Calves— Dairy replacements (Over 1 year but under 2 years) 682,503 685,460 686,027 Calves— females (Over 6 months but under 1 year) 912,580 865,770 905,989 Calves— females (Under 6 months) 822,065 810,621 809,450 Source: June Agricultural Census. Due mainly to inclement weather and its effect on fodder supplies, the level of milk production per cow in 1979 remained much the same as in the previous year. So long as there are no long period of adverse weather, it is expected that production per cow in 1980 and subsequently will resume the upward trend seen in the years immediately prior to 1979.
House adjourned at four minutes before nine o'clock.