# Scotland census finds cattle numbers up year on year

> Scotland’s June 2026 agricultural census counted 1.67 million cattle, while sheep numbers and cereal and oilseed area were below their five-year averages.

- Canonical URL: https://newsverum.com/en/news/scotland-agricultural-census-june-2026-results
- Publisher: Newsverum
- Section: Economy
- Country: United Kingdom
- Published: 2026-10-10T15:52:30+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-12T06:28:53+03:00
- Event / data period: 2026-06-01
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The Scottish Government’s June 2026 Agricultural Census, published on 8 October, recorded 1.67 million cattle as at 1 June, up 0.7% from 2025. The sheep count was 6.50 million, 2.2% below the 2021-2025 average.

Land used for cereals and oilseeds totalled 447,700 hectares, 5.4% below the five-year average. The agricultural workforce was 66,100 people, down 700 or 1.0% from 2025. The census’s total agricultural area excludes common grazing land.

## Data

### Scotland June 2026 census livestock counts

Cattle and sheep counts in the Scottish Government census for 1 June 2026.

Methodology: The census reference date is 1 June 2026. Livestock figures are headcounts, area is in hectares and workforce is in people. Comparisons use 2025 or the 2021-2025 average as specified by the source. Total agricultural area excludes common grazing.

| Measure | Value (million) | Source comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Cattle | 1.67 | +0.7% vs 2025 |
| Sheep | 6.5 | -2.2% vs 2021-2025 average |

Sources: <https://www.gov.scot/publications/results-from-the-scottish-agricultural-census-june-2026/> · Download data: [JSON](https://newsverum.com/api/v1/articles/scotland-agricultural-census-june-2026-results/data/scotland-june-agricultural-census-2026-livestock?lang=en&format=json) · [CSV](https://newsverum.com/api/v1/articles/scotland-agricultural-census-june-2026-results/data/scotland-june-agricultural-census-2026-livestock?lang=en&format=csv)

### Scotland June 2026 cereals and oilseeds area

Cereals and oilseeds area in the Scottish Government census for 1 June 2026.

Methodology: The census reference date is 1 June 2026. Livestock figures are headcounts, area is in hectares and workforce is in people. Comparisons use 2025 or the 2021-2025 average as specified by the source. Total agricultural area excludes common grazing.

| Measure | Area (hectares) | Source comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Cereals and oilseeds | 447700 | -5.4% vs five-year average |

Sources: <https://www.gov.scot/publications/results-from-the-scottish-agricultural-census-june-2026/> · Download data: [JSON](https://newsverum.com/api/v1/articles/scotland-agricultural-census-june-2026-results/data/scotland-june-agricultural-census-2026-crop-area?lang=en&format=json) · [CSV](https://newsverum.com/api/v1/articles/scotland-agricultural-census-june-2026-results/data/scotland-june-agricultural-census-2026-crop-area?lang=en&format=csv)

### Scotland June 2026 agricultural workforce

Agricultural workforce count in the Scottish Government census for 1 June 2026.

Methodology: The census reference date is 1 June 2026. Livestock figures are headcounts, area is in hectares and workforce is in people. Comparisons use 2025 or the 2021-2025 average as specified by the source. Total agricultural area excludes common grazing.

| Measure | People | Source comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural workforce | 66100 | -1.0% (-700 people) vs 2025 |

Sources: <https://www.gov.scot/publications/results-from-the-scottish-agricultural-census-june-2026/> · Download data: [JSON](https://newsverum.com/api/v1/articles/scotland-agricultural-census-june-2026-results/data/scotland-june-agricultural-census-2026-workforce?lang=en&format=json) · [CSV](https://newsverum.com/api/v1/articles/scotland-agricultural-census-june-2026-results/data/scotland-june-agricultural-census-2026-workforce?lang=en&format=csv)

## Sources

- [Scottish Government](<https://www.gov.scot/publications/results-from-the-scottish-agricultural-census-june-2026/>) (Source checked: 2026-10-10; Published: 2026-10-08)

## Correction history

- 2026-10-12T06:28:53+03:00: Full translations of the table text cells were added in all seven languages. Original source values and numerical observations were preserved.

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