UK: Numbers of births to dairy dams boom in the third quarter showing a shift towards autumn block calving

Births to dairy dams in the third quarter of this year (July – September) have totalled 458,473 head, according to the latest BCMS data. This marks the highest recorded figure for Q3, and an increase of 3.0% compared to the same period in 2023. However, year-to-date (Jan-Sept) total registrations are up by only 0.8% whilst looking at the preceding 12 months show that registrations rose by only 0.9%. This would indicate a change in the months of calving (reflective of a shift towards Autumn block) but also a slight increase in calvings overall could indicate a small degree of herd expansion and less culling as a result of better prices. Calf registrations in July dropped by 0.7% year-on-year but increased in August and September by 7.5% and 1.2% respectively which offers further evidence of a shift to Autumn block calving. These differences are even more pronounced compared to the 5-year average. Consequently, registrations declined in Q2. The increase in GB milk deliveries ...