§ 1988. Mr. David PorterTo ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the average size of dairy herd and the total number of herds for the years(a) 1960, (b) 1970, (c) 1980, (d) 1985, (e) 1986, (f) 1987 and (g)
§ Mr. RyderThe information requested is given in the table. The data cover England and Wales and are taken from the annual agricultural census.
356W
Number of holdings with dairy cows Number of dairy cows Average number per holding 1960 140,109 2,594,809 19 1970 84,891 2,714,463 32 1980 49,118 2,672,019 54
Number of holdings with dairy cows Number of dairy cows Average number per holding 1985 42,351 2,580,098 61 1986 41,055 2,573,222 63 1987 39,188 2,486,404 63 1988 37,524 2,378,862 63 Note:
The comparison between the 1970 and 1980 figures has been slightly affected by changes in the size threshold which excluded very small holdings from the annual census from 1980 onwards.