Two-thirds of Irish dairy farmers fear a decoupling drop in income

MANY of the dairy farmers who told Teagasc in a recent survey that they intend to double their investment in milk quotas will closely watch a farm sale of 75 acres with 70,000 gallons of quota next week.

In a survey of 1,200 farmers involved in the Teagasc National Farm Survey, almost two-thirds of dairy farmers feared a decoupling drop in income. But those who want to stay farming plan to expand substantially.

However, with around 15% of dairy farmers saying they would exit milk production over the next two years, the survey indicated the number of Irish dairy farmers will drop from 26,000 to 18,000.