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The main results of the 2003 and 2005 Farm Structure Surveys have been published today, 14 September 2007. The Surveys were carried out in June 2003 and 2005 on a sample of all farms with at least 1 hectare of land farmed.


The Farm Structure Survey gives more detail than the June farm survey and it updates many of the tables of the June 2000 Census of Agriculture with 2003 and 2005 data. Topics covered include: area farmed; area under various types of crops; numbers of livestock and poultry; the farm workforce; ownership and use of farm machinery; and the extent of involvement in non-agricultural activities (such as tourism, forestry etc.).


Some of the findings emerging from the surveys are:

  • There were 132,700 active farms in June 2005, compared to 141,500 in June 2000. This was a fall of some 6.2% in the number of farms. The average size of farm increased from 31.4 hectares in 2000 to 31.8 hectares in 2005.
  • Between 1991 and 2005 there has been a decrease of 37,900 farms, an average of 2,700 a year.
  • There were 247,700 family and regular non-family workers engaged in farming in 2005, a drop of 4.0% on the 2000 figure of 257,900.
  • In 2005, a little over half (56.4%) of farmers described farmwork as their sole occupation.
  • In 2000, 39.5% of family farm holders were aged 55 or over; this age category represented 41.8% of holders in 2003 and 47.7% of holders in 2005.
  • In 2000, 13.0% of family farm holders were aged under 35; this age category represented 11.2% of holders in 2003 and 8.2% of holders in 2005.
  • Specialist beef production was the most common type of farming, accounting for over half of all farms in 2005.


For copies of the publication contact:


Central Statistics Office, Information Section, Skehard Road, Cork. 021- 4535011
Government Publications Sales Office, Sun Alliance House, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2.
Price: €20 [Copies can also be downloaded from the CSO website (see below)].


For further information contact:


Kevin Keady on 021-453 5046 or Colm Hassett 021-453 5367
Central Statistics Office, Skehard Road, Cork.
E-mail: agriculture@cso.ie
Internet: www.cso.ie (PDF 1.7MB)

14 September 2007


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