Younger farmers are plumping for dairy

INTERESTING age-related differences were revealed in the Irish Examiner/ICMSA farming survey, with older farmers preferring cattle production, and younger farmers more interested in dairying.

A total of 57% of those interviewed were principally in livestock/cattle, 22% were in dairying, 12% in tillage, 1% in poultry, and 7% in other enterprises (1% each in agri-tourism and horticulture). However, when secondary enterprises were also taken into account, 76% had livestock/cattle, 27% dairy, 18% tillage, 4% poultry, 1% agri-tourism, 1% horticulture, and 15% “other enterprises”.

The highest percentage of farmers in livestock and cattle were in the higher age bracket — 61% among those 65 years and over. Younger farmers were mostly engaged in dairying, with the highest number (32%) recorded in the 35-44 age category.