The total number of people working either full or part time on agricultural holdings decreased by 0.4 per cent in the last year.

The figures come from the provisional estimates of the Agricultural Consensus for Scotland, which found that there were 66,800 staff working in holdings in June this year.

However, the number of employed staff remained approximately constant at 25,000, as there was a decrease of 2.3 per cent in regular staff, but this was balanced by a 11.3 per cent rise in the number of casual or seasonal staff. The total number of occupiers and spouses working on the holding decreased by 0.7 per cent to 41,800.

The census also found that the total number of cattle fell by 36,000, or 1.8 per cent, to 1.898 million, with the total number of sheep also falling, by 137,000, or 1.8 per cent, to 7.491 million.

There was also a fall of 11,000, or 2.4 per cent, in the total number of pigs, to 453,000, but the total size of the poultry flock rose by 355,000, or 2.6 per cent, to 13.955 million.

Related news items:

• 'Consistent approach' to offshore wind development sought
• 'Team Scotland' approach planned for fishery talks
• Action on seasonal workers welcomed
• Action planned on overuse of plastic bags
• Action urged to prevent feathers flying