DEFRA does not collect figures on the number of farmers who enter and leave the dairy sector in each year. Figures from the June Survey of Agriculture only indicate activity on registered holdings in England at June each year and therefore show net change only.
The number of farmers on holdings where dairy is the predominant activity are shown in the following table. Prior to 2007 the method of categorising holdings into predominant farming activity was calculated using responses from the June Survey. From 2007 onwards data from the Cattle Tracing System has been used. Numbers of dairy holdings for 2006 are shown using both data sources for comparison. To show the overall trend across the change in data source a longer time series has also been included.
Number of farmers Survey data CTS data 2000 31,481 15,219 — 2001 30,178 14,293 — 2002 30,425 14,537 — 2003 28,918 13,770 — 2004 28,057 13,264 — 2005 26,168 12,918 — 2006 25,706 12,628 11,079 2007 21,082 — 10,649 2008 20,122 — 10,112 1 Based on predominant farming activity. Notes: 1. Farmers includes full and part time farmers, partners, directors and spouses if working on the holding. Source: June Survey of Agriculture