Number of bovine animals, 1 December 2023

At the beginning of December, there were 3% fewer cattle than a year ago. The decrease occurred in all cattle groups.

• At the beginning of December there were just under 799 000 cattle. This is 3% down on the same period a year ago. The numbers of dairy cows, suckler cows, heifers, bulls and cattle under one year old fell.
• The number of dairy cows was just over 236 000, down 3% on a year ago. The decrease occurred in all region. In relative terms, the smallest decreases were in South Ostrobothnia, South Karelia and Åland.
• The number of suckler cows fell by 1% to just over 62 000. 
• The number of heifers was around 129 000 (- 3%). Of the heifers, 68% are to be reared as dairy cows, 12% as suckler cows and 20% for slaughter.