Cattle stock dropped by more than two per cent last year, when compared to 2013, according to national data.

The National Statistics Office yesterday said that according to a yearly census, the stock went down by 2.2 per cent to 14,883 heads.

Bovines aged less than one year increased by 4.3 per cent while those aged between one and two years decreased by 15.9 per cent and those over two years by 13.6 per cent.

Cows, representing nearly 45 per cent of the total cattle stock, registered an increase of 2.8 per cent.

Last year, 281 holdings were engaged in cattle rearing, of which 120 were involved in the production of milk. These dairy farms accounted for 13,561 heads, or 91 per cent of the total stock.