Cattle

Cows grazing.
Swedish cattle are, in an international comparison, very healthy, and the use of antimicrobials is low. Photo: . Photo: Bengt Ekberg/SVA

In Sweden there is approximately 1.5 million cattle divided between herd of dairy cows, beef cows and specialized calf production. The number of dairy cows has decreased during a long time and is now around 300 000 cows. The number of dairy herds decreases rapidly while the number of dairy cows per herd increases and is now 106 cows/herd. In comparison the number of beef cows per herd is 22 cows.

Disease surveillance

Surveillance of infectous diseases in animals and humans in Sweden 2022 (pdf) Antibiotic use for animals in Sweden Publications in English Research at SVA

Last reviewed 30/07/2025