Scottish agricultural survey: December 2017

2. Introduction

This publication contains results from the 2017 December Agricultural Survey, covering winter-sown crops, hay and silage production, livestock and machinery. Also included in the survey is information on the cost of renting agricultural land, and this year we have merged the previously separate publication of these results into this document.

This publication provides commentary and graphics on the latest annual changes, and trends over the past ten years, together with comparisons with June Census results.

Unlike the June Census, which collects results covering all agricultural holdings in Scotland, the results of the December Survey are derived from a representative sample of larger agricultural holdings only, involving about 14,700 holdings, and do not cover smaller agricultural holdings at all. These smaller agricultural holdings are generally those of less than one hectare in size, and in the June 2017 census accounted for only six per cent of agricultural land.

The results in this publication have, however, been scaled up to include an estimate for the smaller holdings (except where stated, see section 11.4), in order that full comparison can be made with data from the June Agricultural Census.

For the third year, the December survey was merged with the Sheep and Goat Annual Inventory ( SGAI). The Inventory goes to all sheep and goat keepers, and so any keepers not included in the December Survey sample were required to complete a separate form covering sheep and goat numbers. Therefore, in addition to sheep and goat data collected through December Survey forms, an additional 10,800 holdings were asked about sheep and goat data only, meaning sheep numbers are now fully representative. As usual, the cattle data are also obtained from the British Cattle Movement Service, giving a fully representative figure.

The surveys were again available online. This year, all those who had previously completed information online, either for a December survey or the June census, were sent email notification of the survey, rather than a paper form. However, if the online form was not initially completed, a paper form was sent as a reminder. Of those returning the December Survey or the Sheep and Goat Inventory, 7,650, or 44 per cent completed it online, compared with 33 per cent last year.

We welcome comments on the content or format of this publication at:

email: agricstats@gov.scot

Tel: 0300 244 9707