The value of cattle output in the Irish agricultural industry rose by 6.2 per cent or €88 million between 2005 and 2006, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
The value of both sheep and milk output fell by €1.4 million (0.7 per cent) and €8 million (0.6 per cent) respectively in the year, according to CSO figures published today.
According to the CSO, the timing of subsidies and the change to the single payment scheme to farmers had a strong influence on the figures during the year.
The value of subsidies less taxes on production increased from €1,692 million in 2005 to €1,847 million in 2006, while the value of subsidies less taxes on products fell from €415 million in 2005 to a negative figure in 2006.
The value of goods output by the agricultural sector in 2006 rose by 4 per cent on the previous year, with the value of cereals increasing by 27.1 per cent or €34 million in the same period.