High attrition rates remain in the number of farmers rearing calves annually, according to Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) data.

Agriland asked DAFM for data on the number of farmers that bought calves last year and this year.

In addition, Agriland asked DAFM for data on the number of farmers that bought calves last year but not this year, and the number of farmers that bought calves this year but not last year.

For the purpose of the data, DAFM defined a calf as a bovine animal below six months-of-age and took the data from January 1 to March 10 of both years.

The table below includes data on the number of herds that bought calves from January 1 to March 10 of 2025 and 2026:

In the time period last year, 143,331 calves were bought by 10,183 herds. This would indicate the average number of calves bought by each of these herds in that time frame was almost 15 (14.75).

In the same time period of 2026, 135,494 calves were bought by 9,413 herds. This would indicate the average number of calves bought by each of these herds in that time frame was just over 14 (14.39).

Number of herds that quit rearing calves in that time frame

DAFM also outlined that 5,774 of the 10,183 herds that purchased calves in that time frame last year did not buy calves in that period this year.

The would equate to almost 57% of calf-rearing herds not returning to buy calves in the same time frame.

On the other hand, 4,713 herds bought calves in that time frame this year but did not buy calves in that period of last year.

It will be interesting to see the overall trends when the peak calf trading season draws to a close for the year, but the figures to March 10 would suggest fewer herds bought fewer calves and that the high attrition rates are continuing in the number of farmers rearing calves.