The 2026 Farmers Weekly Beef Survey has revealed an encouraging development in beef cattle numbers. According to their results, half of beef farmers surveyed have grown their herd over the past five years. It says “Allowing for all decreases and those exiting beef, the net result was a 31% increase in herd size.”
This comes against the backdrop of a longer term decline in the national herd size which has been a cause for concern, particularly when taken in the context of new and increasing threats to UK food security. And it will be instructive to monitor the official Defra figures on herd size which will come out later in the year. It’s also worth looking at the latest notes from the 14 April ‘2026 meeting of the UK Agriculture Market Monitoring Group which reports on the latest market situation for the different sectors including beef.
Overall, the Farmers Weekly survey must be a cause for optimism if it signals that confidence amongst beef farmers is returning and an increasing willingness to invest in future production.
We are the UKs largest trade body for the meat industry and provide expert advice on trade issues, bespoke technical advice and access to government policy makers
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