Figures obtained from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine showed that Cork had the highest number of newly setup joint herd numbers, with 771 in place since 2015.

Mayo and Galway were next with 589 and 537 respectively.

The provincial breakdown of the figures since 2015 was:

  • Munster: 2,187.
  • Leinster: 1,653.
  • Connacht: 1,611.
  • Ulster: 692.

    • Young farmers

    The high number of joints herd numbers since 2015 has been generated by an increase in young farmers following the introduction of the National Reserve in 2016.

    For a young farmer to access the National Reserve and get young farmer top-ups, they must have a registered herd numbers.

    The IFA’s Gerry Gunning welcomed the development as it highlights that more young farmers are entering agriculture.

    “It is a positive to see this rise as it shows more young people are entering the sector. Up to 7,000 got the National Reserve in 2016 and 2017 which is a positive development,” he said.

    “Anything to help the restructuring of Irish agriculture is vital," he explained.

    Read more

    Tillage crisis fund opens at last

    €530m spent on forestry by Department in last five years