GB milking herd continues decline in April

Wednesday, 15 June 2022

According to the latest BCMS data release, the GB milking herd totalled 1.64 million head as of 1 April 2022. This is a decline of 1.6% (27k head) compared to April 2021, which continues the long-term trend of decline seen in the national herd.

  graph showing change in dairy herd by age group

Youngstock numbers (<2 years) are still steadily increasing with the current number at 941k head, up 4.4% (39k head) from the same time last year. With this upwards trend starting in April 2020, some of these cows will now be maturing into the main herd, likely replacing older or less productive cows as the current economic environment does not favour herd growth.

graph showing chnage in the dairy females population

Image of staff member Freya Shuttleworth

Freya Shuttleworth

Senior Analyst (Livestock)

See full bio


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