The number of suckler cows in Ireland fell by almost 23,000hd between 2016 and 2017, while the number of dairy cows jumped by almost 35,000hd.

New figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that in June 2017 there were 1,432,700 dairy cows in the country, an increase of 34,800hd (2.5%) on June 2016.

In contrast, the number of suckler cows in June 2017 was 1,081,000, which was a drop of 22,700hd (2.1%) on the June 2016 figure.

Continuous increase

Annual figures for the past 12 years show a continuous increase in dairy cow numbers since 2005.

Suckler cow numbers have fluctuated, but the overall trend has been downwards since 2008, when numbers were up at 1,220,100hd.

CSO figures also reveal a 10.4% increase in the number of male cattle aged 24 months and older in the country in June this year, compared with June last year. That equates to an extra 40,600hd.

Interestingly, breeding bull numbers fell by 32% in one year, according to the CSO. This equates to a drop of 8,100 breeding bulls in the country between June 2016 and June 2017.

Ewe numbers

Sheep farmers have increased ewe numbers, the provisional Crops and Livestock June survey showed.

The national sheep flock increased marginally (1.4%) from 5.179m sheep in June 2016, to 5.252m sheep in June 2017.

Breeding ewes increased by 8,100hd in the 12-month period, while breeding rams increased by 600hd and other sheep increased by 65,000hd.

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