Rabbit Damage in Devon: Key Statistics from the Last 5 Years
Across Devon and the wider South West, rabbits remain a serious threat to agriculture and rural land. From crop loss to soil erosion, the impact is both widespread and expensive. Here's a fact-based look at what recent data and studies tell us about rabbit-related damage—and why professional control is more important than ever.
National Rabbit Statistics (for Context)
To understand the local picture, it helps to look at national data:
There are an estimated 40 million wild rabbits in Great Britain, causing around £115 million in annual agricultural losses researchgate.net.
Farmers and landowners spend approximately £5 million per year on rabbit control measures, such as gassing and fencing, accounting for about half of total control costs researchgate.net.
For crops like winter wheat, spring barley, and grass, each rabbit can result in a 0.3–1% yield loss per hectareresearchgate.net.
Devon-Focused Insights
While Devon-specific government data is limited, field observations and regional conditions shed light on local trends:
Rising Population Pressure
Rabbit density in similar UK areas has reached up to 24 rabbits per hectare, significantly reducing grass availability for livestock gov.uk+11gwct.org.uk+11reddit.com+11. Devon's lush pasture conditions may support comparable population levels.Escalation in Damage Reports
Anecdotal evidence from farm and estate managers across Devon indicates increased calls for rabbit control services. This aligns with scientific findings that rabbit populations tend to surge before periodic disease outbreaks .Economic Impact
Based on national yield-loss figures, if Devon’s farmland mirror national trends, each hectare could lose up to 1% yield annually—potentially costing hundreds per field, depending on crop and yield value.
Why 2021–25 Are Especially Critical
Fewer Disease Outbreaks: Reduced efficacy of diseases like myxomatosis and RHD-2 has led to population rebounds.
Intensified Land Use: Expansion of silage, pasture, and cereal production in Devon increases exposure to rabbit damage.
Rising Control Costs: As rabbit numbers grow, so does spending on control—particularly for fencing and monitoring bbc.co.uk+1reddit.com+1.
What These Numbers Mean for Devon Farmers
Statistic
Impact on Devon Farms
24 rabbits/ha density
Possible pasture depletion and competition with livestock
Up to 1% yield loss
Direct reduction in crop profit per hectare
£5M national spend
Reflective of necessary and ongoing control investment
Even moderate rabbit populations can have meaningful financial and operational consequences on individual farms.
What You Should Do Now
1. Monitor regularly – Use Cooke’s method for pellet counts to establish trends.
2. Assess early – Crop damage, burrows, and grazing should trigger timely action.
3. Plan control – Use a mix of night shooting, burrow management, and fencing tailored to your land.
4. Budget smart – Early monitoring and localized control often save costs versus reactive measures.
How Heritage Rabbit Management Can Help
For farmers and landowners across Devon (including Exeter, Barnstaple, South Hams, Dartmoor, and beyond), we offer:
Population surveys & warren mapping
Night shooting with thermal optics
Fencing and burrow disruption strategies
Long-term habitat advice and monitoring
Take Action Today
Don't wait for population spikes or disease-triggered booms. Contact Heritage Rabbit Management now for a free, no-obligation survey to assess rabbit pressure on your land and create a protection plan to safeguard your yield and profits.
07453 186043
heritagerabbitmanagement@gmail.com
https://www.heritagerabbitmanagement.co.uk