France livestock population: cattle under 1 year old
France livestock population: cattle under 1 year old stood at 4,575.93 thousand heads in 2025, according to Eurostat – crop production in EU standard humidity (apro_cpsh1), French agricultural statistics. It is one of the indicators in the Agriculture: annual production and accounts table (Value · Annual), with a complete series running from 1973 to 2025. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Agriculture: annual production and accounts table
| Indicator | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cattle | 16,236.7 | 16,478.26 | 16,806.9 | 16,986.19 | 17,330.08 | 17,815.67 | 18,172.97 | 18,613.04 | 18,953.58 | 19,373.38 | |
| Cattle under 1 year old | 4,575.93 | 4,591.66 | 4,782.53 | 4,867.63 | 4,944.73 | 5,119.13 | 5,124.53 | 5,304.06 | 5,270.85 | 5,574.55 | |
| Cattle 1 to less than 2 years old | 2,868.03 | 2,966.33 | 3,003.32 | 2,992.01 | 3,021.31 | 3,062.93 | 3,183.45 | 3,180.34 | 3,381.36 | 3,474.52 |
Understanding france livestock population: cattle under 1 year old
Cattle population under one year old enumerates all juvenile bovine animals that have not yet reached their first anniversary of life, combining both male and female calves. The count includes young stock destined for future dairy replacement, beef fattening, or immediate veal production, while excluding adult animals aged twelve months and older. This juvenile category differs from older cohorts by exhibiting higher sensitivity to immediate mortality risks and rapid physiological development phases.
Analysis of this juvenile demographic requires recognizing seasonal calving peaks that concentrate births in specific months, influencing whether an annual census catches herds during expansion or contraction phases. Revisions often stem from late registrations in national animal identification databases or adjustments in slaughterhouse reporting. Comparing these figures against mature herd counts helps analysts project future beef supplies and dairy replacement capacities.
Frequently asked questions
- Are bull calves destined for veal production counted in this cohort?
- Yes, all bovine animals under twelve months of age are grouped together regardless of their future slaughter path.
- Why do juvenile cattle counts fluctuate rapidly between years?
- Changes in breeding cow retention, fertility rates, and early weaning mortality directly impact this young cohort.
- Does this category include unweaned suckling calves kept with beef cows?
- Yes, all calves under one year old are included regardless of whether they are dairy or beef breed offspring.