Sample survey of agriculture and forestry, 2011, final figures

In general, low tillage during the autumn season will make the agricultural land less prone to erosion and nutrient run-off. One of the most important measures for preventing the pollution of water bodies is less autumn ploughing.

In 2010, 47 per cent of the area of grain and oil seeds was ploughed during the spring season, and 47 per cent was ploughed the previous autumn. The rest of the area was harrowed without ploughing in the autumn of 2009. The area used for grain and oil seeds ploughed in the autumn represented 82 per cent of the total area for grain and oil seeds in 1989. After a pronounced decrease in the early 1990s, the area ploughed in the autumn accounted for 54-58 per cent of the area until 1999. In 2000, the area ploughed dropped to 45 per cent of grain area.

For area of open field other than grain and oil seeds, the area ploughed in the autumn represented 53 per cent of the total area. Seven per cent of this area was harrowed in the autumn, and 40 per cent worked only in the spring.

Almost half of the area used for fodder production was grazed in 2010. The average time of grazing varied between 14 weeks for dairy cows and 20 weeks for goats.

Only 4 per cent, or 430 000 decares, of the agricultural area was irrigated in 2010. The area of grain and oil seeds represented 156 000 of the irrigated area, and the area of meadow was 156 000 decares. A total of 60 000 decares of the potato area was irrigated, comprising 43 per cent of the total area of potatoes. The irrigated area of vegetables represented 77 per cent of the total area of vegetables in 2010.

The topic of the sample survey on agriculture 2011 is production methods. The survey also contains information about animal housing and manure storage.

Tables:

• Table 1 Tillage of area used for open fields and gardens, by county and area of open fields and gardens
• Table 2 Tillage on area of open fields and gardens, by region and area of fully cultivated meadow
• Table 3 Irrigation of agricultural area, by region and agricultural area in use. 2010
• Table 4 Animal grazing. 2010
• Table 5 Holdings with manure storage by type. Region and agricultural area in use
• Table 6 Holdings housing cattle, by region and number of cattle. 2010
• Table 7 Holdings housing laying hens, by region and number of laying hens. 2010