UK – A decrease in average herd size will lead to a more efficient, higher production UK herd, says the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).
Age profiles of British cows show the amount of cows in peak production – lactations four to six – have steadily increased annually since 2012, as has the number of early lactation cows and youngstock.
Post peak numbers have flatlined and older cows – over eight years – have reduced from over 300,000 to below 100,000, according to British Cattle Movement Service figures.
AHDB Dairy said: “GB dairy cow numbers have been increasing as a result of more cows coming through the system as well as the likelihood of more being imported.
“These factors have all lead to the development of a more efficient higher production herd. There is still plenty of potential for growth to occur within the industry and if the current trend continues the GB herd will increase over the coming years.”
TheCattleSite News Desk