France livestock population: non-dairy suckler cows
France livestock population: non-dairy suckler cows stood at 3,630.99 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 1959 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 2 years old or over | 8,792.74 | 8,920.28 | 9,021.05 | 9,126.55 | 9,364.04 | 9,633.91 | 9,865 | 10,128.65 | 10,301.37 | 10,324.31 | |
| Cows | 6,615.2 | 6,754.66 | 6,904.37 | 7,020.49 | 7,204.4 | 7,379.39 | 7,505.13 | 7,649.9 | 7,751.31 | 7,880.1 | |
| Non-dairy (suckler) cows | 3,630.99 | 3,679.48 | 3,739.77 | 3,789.63 | 3,882.37 | 3,973.71 | 4,014.32 | 4,094.9 | 4,154.47 | 4,243.08 |
Understanding france livestock population: non-dairy suckler cows
Non-dairy suckler cows livestock population tracks adult female bovine animals raised specifically for breeding and rearing calves destined for beef production. These maternal animals nurse their offspring rather than being milked for commercial dairy processing, distinguishing them from dairy cows in sibling rows. The count excludes milk-producing herds and young female replacement stock that have not yet calved.
Interpreting these figures requires examining pasture availability, beef market prices, and public support payments linked to suckler cow maintenance. Revisions to early estimates occur when animal identification databases reconcile annual farm declarations with slaughterhouse records. Longitudinal comparisons show how extensive grazing systems adapt to climate pressures, forage availability, and changing consumer demand for beef products.
Frequently asked questions
- Do suckler cows produce milk for commercial dairy markets?
- No, their milk is consumed entirely by their calves during the nursing period prior to weaning.
- How do suckler cow trends differ from dairy cow trends?
- Suckler populations respond to beef market demand and extensive pasture economics rather than liquid milk prices.
- Are male beef animals included in this specific suckler cow series?
- No, the series is strictly restricted to adult female cows that nurse beef calves.