Irish cow numbers fall over 78,000 head in the past year

Published 2024년 10월 22일

Tridge summary

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in Ireland has reported a significant decrease in cow numbers as of September 1, 2024, with a drop of over 78,000 head compared to the same period in 2023. This decline is primarily attributed to a reduction in both suckler and dairy cow numbers, with suckler cow numbers down by 48,770 (5.8%) and dairy cow numbers down by 29,507 (1.8%). Factors contributing to this trend include adverse weather conditions, policy changes, and shifts in farming practices. The prolonged winter of 2023-2024 and policy changes concerning the nitrates derogation and farm stocking rates are among the key factors. Additionally, the trend of aging farmers leading to the conversion of dairy or suckler farms to drystock operations is also discussed as a possible factor. The article leaves open the question of whether this downward trend in cow numbers will persist or if it will level off in the future.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

Irish cow numbers as of September 1, 2024, is over 78,000 head below the same date of 2023, latest figures from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) have shown. The largest decline in cow numbers has been seen in the suckler sector where suckler cow numbers have declined by almost 49,000 head in the past year. Dairy cow numbers have fallen by over 29,500 head in the past 12 months, a stark contrast to the growth trends seen in dairy cow numbers since milk quota abolition in 2015. The table below compares cow numbers in Ireland on September 1, 2023 to September 1, 2024: As the table above indicates, the largest number and percentage fall has been in suckler cow numbers which fell by 48,770 head or 5.8% in the 12 months to September 1. Dairy cow numbers have fallen by 29,507 head or 1.8% in the 12 months to September 1. The total Irish cow numbers has fallen by 78,277 head or 3.2% in the 12 months to September 1. There are a number of factors that are likely ...

Source: AgriLand