In the first eight years of membership, total milk production increased by almost 50pc, driven by both an increase in cow numbers and productivity per cow.
By 1980 Ireland was down to 70,000 milk suppliers, while the quantity of milk increased by over 80pc.
Now, after 30 odd years of milk quotas in Ireland, there are just over 17,500 dairy farmers in Ireland milking an average of 80 cows, as part of a national herd size of 1.14m cows.
According to Teagasc the dairy sector in Ireland will continue to evolved and by 2025 the potential average dairy farm will look quite different. The number of dairy farmers will fall, but to around 16,500 – but of that 1,500 will be new entrants.
Dairy cow numbers will increase to 1.7m, while the average herd size will increase to over 100 cows.
Average milk delivered per farm will increase to over 570,000L, at almost 3.6pc protein and 4.25pc butterfat.
National milk solids production (kg fat plus protein) will have increased by over 100pc compared to 2007-2009.
Source: Independent
Link: http://www.independent.ie/business/farming/dairy/what-will-the-average-dairy-farm-in-ireland-look-like-in-2025-35290326.html
