Stocking rate too high on some farms

The stocking rate on many farms is too high for the amount of grass they can grow and utilise, and is not sustainable in difficult weather conditions.

Proponents of low yields per cow say they have high output per hectare, due to high stocking rates — but it does not pay to be carrying 25% more cows than is necessary to fill the quota efficiently.

Every surplus cow costs money. In preparation for post-quota milk production, many farmers are keeping far too many cows for available quota, costing them dearly in terms of short lactations, low yields, infertility and insufficient winter feed.