Livestock management

The cattle stock has continued its decline from the level of the 1980’s. The December 1997 statistics show, the number of animals to have dropped by 38 thousand since the previous year (tables 7-8). The number of cows declined by 11 thousand during the year (diagram 13). Overall compared to the previous year, the total number of cattle decreased by 4%, whereas the ncumber of cows dropped by 3% (diagram 14). Although fodder prices fell and prices of slaughter cattle, improved in 1997,. these favourable factors have not yet been reflected in increased livestock numbers (diagram 15).
    The Hungarian pig stock was below five million by the end of 1997. Compared to the previous year, the number of pigs fell by almost 360 thousand animals, that is by 7% (tables 7-8). The number of sows dropped more significantly. Compared to the same period of 1996, they were down by 9%, that is 34 thousand fewer sows have been kept in the country (diagrams 16-17).
    Owing to subsidies on the expansion of the stock, people have become more interested in sheep farming. Though this favourably changed the stock composition, the total number of animals dropped by 2% (tables 7-8). Old ewes are being replaced by younger ones on in most farms. However, the equipment on most farms remains out dated and, the level of investment has beenwas low. Both qualitative and quantitative indices of sheep farms have not improved.
    Poultry production stands out within the livestock sector and in Hungarian agricultural production as a whole. Stocks have significantly increased (by 12%) since the previous year (tables 7-8 and diagram 18). Compared to the 333 thousand tons of 1996, 356 thousand tons of poultry meat was produced in 1997. This means a 7% improvement.
    Hungarian production is estimated to be growing at a rate comparable to that of the world’s poultry production. The 1998 forecast is that the pace of the growth will be the same as in 1997 andwith about 385 thousand tons being produced. These optimistic expectations are confirmed on the one hand by the world-wide growing trend of the sector, and on the other hand by the fact that in 1998 the sector is to be given an increased amount of subsidy (diagram 19).