According to a Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC) bulletin, total cow numbers grew to 7.9 million head due to a two per cent increase in the beef herd, which more than compensated for the contraction in dairy cow numbers.

Further expansion in the beef herd is expected in 2008 as the number of beef replacement heifers increased by three per cent to just over 2 million head. The suckler cow premium remains fully coupled with production in France, which provides an incentive for producers to expand their herds. In contrast in NI, where susbsidies are fully decoupled, the beef herd decreased by nine per cent in 2007.

NOVEMBER FRENCH CATTLE NUMBERS (‘000 HEAD)
Table 1	2006	2007	% Change 07/06
Total	18,904	19,124	+1
Dairy cows	3,799	3,759	-1
Beef cows	4,077	4,163	+2
Heifers	4,559	4,598	+1
Male cattle >2yrs	440	456	+4
Male cattle +2yrs	1,016	1,079	+6
Cattle <1yr	5,012	5,070	+1

The number of younger cattle on farm for potential slaughter increased by two per cent in 2007, and therefore beef production in France is forecast to increase by two per cent in 2008, due to a strong increase in slaughterings in the second half of the year. More male cattle are available for slaughter due to the contraction in live exports in 2007, due to weaker demand in the Italian market, but also because of movement restrictions imposed due to Bluetongue Disease.

Further Reading

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