The preliminary results of the June 2008 Agricultural Census have been released by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and show an increase in harvested crops.

These are compiled from a sample survey of all active farms augmented by administrative data.

The preliminary results are based on the first 7,000 returns and, whilst they should give an indication of the main trends, are liable to be amended in the light of returns received and processed later.

Final results will be published in November 2008 by which time all returns from farmers will have been processed.

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The main changes between June 2007 and June 2008 are:

• Cereals: There was a 9% increase in the total area of cereals. The areas of oats and wheat increased by 14% and 15% respectively. The area of winter barley rose by 16% while the area of spring barley rose by 4%.
• Other crops: The area of potatoes was similar to that in 2007 while that of forage maize was 3% higher.
• Cattle: Total cattle numbers were 1% lower than in 2007. The number of dairy cows rose by 2% while the number of beef cows fell by 4%.
• Sheep: There was little change in the number of breeding ewes.
• Pigs: There was little change in the breeding sow herd compared with June 2007.
• Poultry: Numbers of laying hens were 11% lower and the number of broilers 2% higher than in 2007.
• Farmers and workers: There was a 1% fall in the number of farmers in 2008, and the total number of persons working on farms also fell by one.