Goalposts are changing in the dairy game!
By John Greaney
WHILE Covid-19 has challenged us all throughout the past 12 months, dairy farmers will face a new challenge in 2021, namely trying to improve the sustainability on their farms. Whether farmers like it or not, the Irish dairy industry is entering a new era with greater focus being placed on the environment.
Furthermore, EU and national Government policies are asking more of dairy farmers in the sustainability area. The requirement to improve sustainability will require a reduction in nutrient loss to water; a reduction in both greenhouse gases (GHG) and ammonia emissions; and improvements in habitats for biodiversity.
Key actions to be undertaken will be guided by both the Teagasc GHG and ammonia marginal abatement cost curves (MACCs) and will include the following:
■ A continued focus on the improvement of nutrient use efficiency (both Nitrogen and Phosphorous).
■ A focus on grassland management to increase pasture utilisation, increase clover content and overall reduction in chemical N fertiliser use.
■ The implantation of appropriately designed ecological measures to halt the decline of biodiversity.
■ The implementation of targeted actions to reduce risk of point source (farmyard) and diffuse (land) losses of nutrient to water.
Potential size and shape of sector by 2027: It is envisaged cow numbers will rise to 1.65million by 2027, with milk output increasing to 9.5 billion litres. There will be 17,000 dairy farms in the country and the average herd size will increase to approximately 100 cows. Production figures will improve as average milk delivered per farm will increase to 555,750 litres at 3.60% protein and 4.40% fat. The attached table* shows the current and future sector size.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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