900 potential new entrants, 200 to re-enter

About 50% of existing Irish dairy farmers plan to increase milk production by 10-20%, and another 20% plan to increase by 20-50%, said Teagasc Director Professor Gerry Boyle, at the recent National Dairy Conference in Dublin.

Only about 5% of existing farmers plan to cease or reduce production. He said there are 900 potential new entrants, and 200 farmers re-entering dairying.

The projected net effect is an 18% increase in Irish milk production by 2018.