The number of breeding cows was finally 4.2 million head, about 100 thousand cows less than the previous year (-2.3%) and it was the lowest number since 2015. This may lead to more difficulties in reaching the number of 3 million new calves during the next year.
Meanwhile, the calves that were registered as of June 30 would be 2.88 million, a drop of 0.8% (about 90,000 animals) compared to the year closed in the same month of 2021.
In the case of sheep, the stock estimated by the MGAP was 6.13 million animals, with a decrease of 96 thousand heads (-1.5%) compared to the previous agricultural year.
Meanwhile, the stock of dairy cattle was located at 677,930 animals, about 30 thousand heads less (-4.2%) than the previous year (707,535). The stock of milking cows registered a decrease of 5% (about 17,000 head) from 315,471 in 2021 to 298,495 this year. The area destined for dairying was reduced by some 24,000 hectares, to 514,526 ha during the last year as of June 30.
In the case of mares, the number of heads was estimated at 409,999, practically unchanged from a year ago, while in pigs there was a reduction from 125,495 animals to 116,351 last year as of June 30.
On the other hand, during 2021/22 improvements were made in 505,838 hectares (ha), a drop compared to the 571,154 ha of the previous year. In total, 372,338 ha of artificial grasslands, 82,971 ha of covered crops and 45,494 ha of fertilized natural fields were made.
The field surface with artificial forestation was projected at 961,494 ha, some 30,000 ha more than the previous year.
