Signs of dairy boom slowing down in 2018
When 194 dairy farmers were asked about their herd size plans, in the Irish Examiner/ICMSA opinion poll, the biggest response of 47% was in the “no change in my dairy output” category.
The farmers were asked: “ It has been predicted that milk production may grow 50% by 2020. In light of this, by how much would you intend to change your output, if at all?”
The “No change” expected for 47% result compares with only 32% “standing pat” in the 2015 survey (the year milk quotas were scrapped), 57% in 2016, and 45% in 2017.
There was a significant change in the percentage planning to decrease production, rising to 6% from zero in 2016 and 2017, and 2% in 2015.
This year, 4% still plan to boost dairy output at least 50% (compared to 2%-6% in the previous years).
Results more or less in line with previous polls have emerged for those now planning 40%-50% more output (3%), 30%-40% more (4% of the dairy farmers polled), 20%-30% more (8%), 10%-20% more (10%), and up to 10% more (9%). In all, 38% predicted dairy output growth in the poll, which was carried out in August.
