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Dairy cow population down slightly in 2024
The number of dairy cows in the Netherlands fell by 1.9 percent to 1.54 million in 2024, compared to 2023.
Sheep population down by over 8 percent in 2023
The number of sheep in the Netherlands fell by 61 thousand (-8.4 percent) in 2023 compared to the previous year
Hardly fewer dairy cows, but smaller pig herd in 2022
At 1.57 million, the national dairy cattle herd remained virtually unchanged in 2022. This is 7 percent less than five years earlier.
Cattle herd size has barely changed
In 2022, the size of the Dutch cattle population has remained virtually unchanged relative to last year, standing at 3.8 million head.
Livestock pigs, 1981- 2020
Livestock pigs, number of piglets, sows and boars in April and December
Decline in pig farming
The number of pig-producing farms has decreased by 12.0 percent from over 4 thousand in 2019 to 3.6 thousand in 2020.
More goats but fewer pigs and cattle
The number of goats in the Netherlands has increased this year.
National cattle herd declining slightly
On 1 April 2019, the national bovine herd of the Netherlands stood at nearly 3.8 million.
Again fewer cows and more goats
On 1 April 2018, there were nearly 4 million head of cattle in the Netherlands, a decline of over 178 thousand (4 percent) on one year previously.