Dutch dairy cull will affect 2017 markets

Plans for a substantial and quick reduction of phosphate pollution reduction on Dutch dairy farms have been announced.

It has been estimated that the Dutch dairy herd will have to be cut by 100,000 cows, or 6% of the total herd, to meet environmental limits on phosphates.

Much of this is on course to take place in 2017, with immediate effect on the EU milk market — and on the beef market, due to dairy cow slaughtering.