The December data are not yet available but the November census allows Idele to write “In total as of 1is November, France lost another 144,000 cows in one year.” On that date, France had 3.392 million suckling cowsa workforce down 2%, or 69,000 fewer than a year earlier; and 3.305 million dairy cowsa drop of 2.2%, or 75,000 fewer animals in one year.
“In total at 1is November, France lost another 144,000 cows in one year »
Decapitalization accelerated in the fall
Idele points to an acceleration in decapitalization in September and October with the result of a more pronounced drop in livestock on 1is November 1is september.
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THE bovine diseases, FCO et HON suffered by France are partly responsible for this decline. The agricultural press is full of testimonies from breeders noting a drop in the fertility of their heifers following contamination. These females are not included in the cow herd count, explains Idele.
Decline in births of dairy and lactating calves
The corollary of this decline in the number of cows is the fall in calvings. The births of small dairy calves fell by 7% (-23,000 head), compared to last year, again according to Idele which explains this by the extension of FCO 3 in the North of France. This is also what explains the unprecedented surge in prices this fall.
In suckling calves, the fall is even more severe with a 12% drop in births in September compared to the same month of 2023. In addition to the effect of bovine diseases, Idele mentions a possible effect of a delay in births. reproduction during the previous campaign.
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