Irish milk production is forecast to increase 5% this season, according to the latest draft short-term outlook from the European Commission.

Production in the first quarter of 2017 was up 1% on the corresponding quarter last year, with March collections up 4%.

In an EU context, production was down 3.4% in the fourth quarter of last year, with the Milk Production Reduction Scheme playing a role. This decrease continued in the first three months of 2017, with collections down 2.3% in the EU. For 2017 overall, EU milk production is forecast to be up 0.6%.

Weather conditions across the EU over the next month or so will play a significant role in the quality and quantity of silage which will be used in the back end of the year on the dairy herd.

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