Analysis of Calf Birth Statistics in Ireland for 2025

The Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine released the Animal Identification and Movement (AIM) Bovine Statistics Report for 2025. This report provides comprehensive data on calf births across Ireland, broken down by county and type of dam.

In 2025, a total of 2,283,107 calves were born in Ireland. Of these, 1,567,422 (68.7%) were dairy calves, while 715,685 (31.3%) were suckler calves. The county of Cork reported the highest number of calf births, totaling 430,995. In Cork, dairy calves made up a significant majority with 376,717 births (87.4%), while 54,278 (12.6%) were suckler calves.

Tipperary followed with the second-highest number of calf births at 221,410, where 82.7% (183,060) were dairy calves and 17.3% (38,350) were suckler calves. Limerick was third with 140,905 births, comprising 116,126 (82.4%) dairy calves and 24,779 (17.6%) suckler calves.

Other counties with significant calf births include Galway, Kerry, Kilkenny, Waterford, and Wexford, each exceeding 100,000 births. Notably, in these counties, dairy calves predominated, except in Galway, where 63.1% of the calves were suckler.

At the lower end of the scale, Dublin recorded the fewest calf births at 4,704, with a nearly even split between suckler (51.3%) and dairy calves (48.7%). Leitrim and Louth also reported relatively low numbers, with 21,326 and 28,301 births, respectively.

The report highlights regional variations in calf births, reflecting differences in agricultural practices and herd compositions across Ireland.