Northern Ireland Agricultural Census 2025 reveals shifting shape of farming sector

The 2025 Agricultural Census for Northern Ireland, published on Thursday 11 December by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), paints a picture of a farming sector that remains resilient but is continuing to evolve in response to economic pressures, environmental demands and changing markets.

Based on data captured as of 1 June 2025, the census provides a comprehensive snapshot of active farm businesses across Northern Ireland, drawing on an online survey supported by administrative data from the Northern Ireland Food Animal Information System (NIFAIS) and the cattle tracing system.

DAERA said a strong response to the fully online collection, alongside targeted telephone follow-up, enabled the production of detailed and robust statistics.

Farm numbers stable as small farms dominate

The census shows there were 25,834 farms operating in Northern Ireland in June 2025, representing a modest 1% decrease on the previous year and underlining relative stability in farm numbers.

The total farmed area, excluding common land, stood at 1,032,296 hectares, a figure that has remained broadly unchanged for decades.

Small-scale agriculture continues to define the rural landscape, with 79% of farms classified as “very small”. Grassland remains dominant, accounting for 79% of all farmed land, reflecting Northern Ireland’s long-standing reliance on livestock-based systems.

Behind these figures lies a strong human story of family-run farms, many juggling short-term land arrangements.

The census shows that 27% of all farmed land is taken in on lease, while 46% of farms take in land, often through short-term conacre agreements, highlighting ongoing uncertainty around land access for many businesses.

Labour force edges upwards

Despite pressures on the sector, the number of people working in agriculture has edged upwards. The census recorded 51,868 farm workers, a 1% increase on 2024. The workforce remains largely family-based, with 79% made up of farmers, directors, partners or spouses, a proportion that has remained stable since 2005.

Cattle trends show dairy growth and beef decline

Overall cattle numbers continued to fall, down 2% to 1,647,256, but the headline figure masks a growing divide within the sector.

The dairy herd increased by 2% to 330,673 cows, pointing to continued investment and confidence in milk production. In contrast, beef cow numbers fell by 5% to 213,744, reflecting sustained pressure on margins and changing support and market conditions.

For many beef producers, these figures echo difficult on-farm decisions about herd size and long-term viability.

Sheep numbers fall sharply

Sheep farming saw one of the most significant declines. The total sheep population dropped by 8% to 1,819,386, while breeding ewes fell by 7% to 864,522.

The census highlights increasing concentration within the sector, with farms holding more than 500 sheep accounting for 40% of the total flock. Smaller producers continue to exit sheep production, often citing rising costs and labour demands.

Poultry and pigs continue to expand

In contrast, intensive livestock sectors recorded strong growth. Total poultry numbers increased by 9% to approximately 25.8 million birds, driven by an 18% rise in laying birds, alongside increases of 1% in broilers and 25% in other poultry.

The pig sector also expanded, with total pig numbers up 8% to 744,858.

The breeding herd rose by 10% to 61,795, with production increasingly concentrated in larger units. Farms with more than 200 sows now account for 80% of breeding pigs, underscoring the scale and efficiency required in modern pig production.

Crops remain stable as yields improve

Arable farming remained broadly stable, with the total crop area decreasing by less than 1% to 46,578 hectares. Cereal crops covered 30,170 hectares, also down by less than 1%.

Within that overall stability, there were notable shifts:

• Wheat increased by 9% to 8,761 hectares

• Winter barley rose by 8%

• Spring barley fell by 11%

• Oats increased slightly to 1,814 hectares

Production figures point to improved yields, with wheat output up 29% to 73,000 tonnes, while barley production rose by 2% and oats by 10%. Forage maize increased by 16%, reflecting demand for feed, while potato output remained steady at 116,200 tonnes.

Adapting to environmental pressures

The census also highlights gradual uptake of Low Emission Slurry Spreading Equipment (LESSE), particularly among larger cattle farms, as businesses adapt to environmental regulations and sustainability goals.

A sector in transition

Taken together, the 2025 Agricultural Census underscores a farming sector in transition. Declines in traditional beef and sheep systems are being offset by growth in dairy, poultry and pigs, while land use and crop areas remain remarkably stable.

For farming families across Northern Ireland, the figures reflect both resilience and adaptation, as producers continue to balance tradition with the economic and environmental realities shaping the future of agriculture.

Key Statistics and Trends

1. Farms and Land Use

Farm Numbers

• Total number of farms: 25,834

• Change from 2024: ↓ 1% (from 26,190)

• Trend: Relative stability in farm numbers

Farmed Area

• Total farmed area (excluding common land): 1,032,296 hectares

• Change from 2024: Slight decrease (from 1,040,392 hectares)

• Long-term trend: Largely unchanged since 1984

Farm Size and Structure

• Very small farms:

  
  

  • 20,461 farms

  • 79% of all farms

• Trend: Dominance of small-scale farming continues

Land Use

• Grassland:

  
  

  • 79% of total farmed area

  • Trend: Grass-based livestock systems remain dominant

2. Land Tenure

• Land taken in on lease:

  
  

  • 283,174 hectares

  • 27% of total farmed land

• Farms taking in land:

  
  

  • 46% of all farms

• Common arrangement: Short-term conacre agreements

• Trend: Ongoing reliance on rented land and short-term access

3. Farm Labour

Total Workforce

• Total farm workers: 51,868

• Change from 2024: ↑ 1% (from 51,213)

Workforce Composition

• Farmers, directors, partners or spouses: 79%

• Other workers: 21%

• Trend: Labour structure unchanged since 2005; workforce remains largely family-based

4. Livestock Overview

Cattle

• Total cattle: 1,647,256

• Change from 2024: ↓ 2%

By Type

• Dairy cows:

  
  

  • 330,673

  • Change: ↑ 2%

• Beef cows:

  
  

  • 213,744

  • Change: ↓ 5%

Trend: Growing dairy sector alongside declining beef herds

Sheep

• Total sheep: 1,819,386

• Change from 2024: ↓ 8%

Breeding Ewes

• Total: 864,522

• Change: ↓ 7%

Flock Distribution

• Farms with more than 500 sheep:

  
  

  • Account for 40% of the total flock

Trend: Significant decline with increasing concentration in larger flocks

Poultry

• Total poultry: Approximately 25.8 million birds

• Change from 2024: ↑ 9%

By Type

• Laying birds: ↑ 18%

• Broilers: ↑ 1%

• Other poultry: ↑ 25%

Trend: Strong growth in intensive poultry production

Pigs

• Total pigs: 744,858

• Change from 2024: ↑ 8%

Breeding Herd

• Breeding pigs: 61,795

• Change: ↑ 10%

Production Structure

• Farms with more than 200 sows:

  
  

  • Hold 80% of breeding sows

Trend: Continued expansion, highly concentrated in large units

5. Crops and Arable Farming

Total Crop Area

• Total crops: 46,578 hectares

• Change from 2024: ↓ less than 1%

• Trend: Overall stability

Cereals

• Total cereals area: 30,170 hectares

• Change: ↓ less than 1%

Breakdown

• Wheat:

  
  

  • 8,761 hectares

  • Change: ↑ 9%

• Winter barley:

  
  

  • 7,417 hectares

  • Change: ↑ 8%

• Spring barley:

  
  

  • 12,064 hectares

  • Change: ↓ 11%

• Oats:

  
  

  • 1,814 hectares

  • Change: ↑ 1%

Other Crops

• Forage maize:

  
  

  • 3,540 hectares

  • Change: ↑ 16%

• Potatoes:

  
  

  • 3,187 hectares

  • Change: ↑ 3%

6. Crop Production

• Barley:

  
  

  • 128,000 tonnes

  • Change: ↑ 2%

• Wheat:

  
  

  • 73,000 tonnes

  • Change: ↑ 29%

• Oats:

  
  

  • 12,000 tonnes

  • Change: ↑ 10%

• Main crop potatoes:

  
  

  • 116,200 tonnes

  • Change: ↑ 1%

Trend: Stable crop areas supported by improved yields and feed demand.

7. Environmental and Technology Adoption

Low Emission Slurry Spreading Equipment (LESSE)

• Adoption: Varies by farm size

• Higher uptake: Larger cattle farms

• Trend: Gradual increase driven by environmental requirements

8. Overall Sector Trends

• Farm numbers and land area remain broadly stable

• Declines in sheep and beef cattle continue

• Dairy, poultry and pig sectors expanding

• Increasing concentration in intensive livestock systems

• Crop areas stable, with productivity gains driving output

• Continued reliance on leased land and family labour