According to the latest industry data, in Ireland this year there has been a decrease in the rate of growth of the dairy herd and, according to forecasts, by 2022 the growth of the livestock may cease altogether.

Although the livestock increased by 20,000 cows this spring and their total number exceeded 1.5 million, the livestock growth rate returned to previous years.

Paidy Kelly, spokeswoman for the Office of Agriculture and Food Development (Teagasc), said this year’s increase in dairy stock would be around 1-1.5%, depending on culling.

“It came back from 3% in 2018, and that figure would be closer to 4% except for a heavier than usual culling last year due to drought,” said Paidy Kelly.

He also noted that the growth rate decreased significantly from 6% recorded in 2015 and 2016, when the dairy herd increased annually by more than 80,000 additional cows.

A Teagasc employee predicted that the increase in the number of dairy cows in the country will continue at 1% per year in 2020 and 2021. This will add at least 30,000 cows to the national herd, with the result that the number of dairy cows by 2022 will be about 1.5 million animals.