Native cattle and sheep breeds see pedigree growth

Pedigree breeding female numbers have increased in nearly 80% of UK native cattle breeds since 2002, new figures show.

Breed inventory numbers, published by UK Farm Animal Genetic Resources (FAnGR) last week, show 78% of UK native cattle breeds have grown in terms of breeding female numbers.

Registering the largest percentage growth among native breeds was the Beef Shorthorn, with a 1,400% increase between 2002 and 2015.

Meanwhile, 41% of native sheep breeds also increased in terms of breeding female numbers.

See also: Native beef breeds drive 2015 calf birth increase

The Boreray breed claimed the largest percentage increase, rising 293% from 93 in 2002 to 366 in 2015.

In terms of overall numbers, the Holstein-Friesian and Swaledale breeds topped the cattle and sheep tables, with 674,574 and 167,093 pedigree breeding females respectively.

See the below graphic for our breakdown of the largest pedigree cattle and sheep breeds and the greatest percentage increases.