Average dairy herd will exceed 100 cows by 2o2o

THE AVERAGE dairy herd will exceed 100 cows by 2020, the head of Teagasc Moorepark, Dr Pat Dillon, has predicted.

An analysis of the dairy industry revealed that more than one third of farms are now producing in excess of 450,000 litres per annum.

While just 4pc of farms produced more than 450,000 litres of milk in 2000, 36pc of holdings were in this category by 2014.

In contrast, the number of small holdings producing between 50,000 litres and 100,000 litres (10- to 20-cow herds) more than halved during the same 14-year period, falling from 22pc in 2000 to just 9pc by 2014

Milk producers in the 225,000 to 450,000 litre category (50- to 100-cow herds) have declined by one-third, dropping from 46pc to 30pc of the total number of dairymen in the country.

The most stable category were those in the 100,000225,000 litre bracket (20- to 50-cow herds) which showed a slight increase from 20pc to 22pc of the total.

Mr Dillon said the continued consolidation in the dairy sector would have profound implications for the industry. The increase in herd size will bring new demands on the management of the dairy herd, he pointed out.

“Dairy farmers must improve their skills. Education and training is not just for young people,” the Moorepark boss cautioned.

“The environment in which we farm is becoming increasingly volatile, and farmers must focus on up-skilling themselves to improve their ability to manage their farming business,” he said.

“Improving financial management and strategic planning skills are particularly important.

“Every farmer should be a member of a discussion group and attend a number of up-skilling events/courses and training days during the year to hone current skills and learn new ones,” added Mr Dillon.