Drought Cuts Irish Dairy Output and Farm Revenue

Data compiled by the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation and PastureBase Ireland show that average milk production declined from 24.14kg per cow in early July to 20.68kg by late August. Average daily milksolids output also fell, reaching 1.66kg per cow compared with 1.79kg earlier in the season.

Rainfall across Ireland had begun to reduce soil-moisture deficits, but pasture growth remained weak during the dry period. PastureBase recorded national average growth of 46kg of dry matter per hectare in late August, limiting the forage available to dairy herds.

Farmers increased supplementary feeding to cover the shortfall. The reported daily ration averaged about 14.5kg of grass, 3.5kg of concentrate meal and 1kg of silage per cow. The additional purchased feed raised operating costs during the late stage of lactation.

Milk components increased as producers adjusted feeding programmes. Average fat content rose to 4.38%, from 3.94%, while protein increased to 3.69%, from 3.48%. As a result, total milksolids remained close to the level recorded a year earlier: 1.66kg per cow in late August, compared with 1.67kg in late August 2025.

Lower milk prices and higher bought-in feed costs reduced the cash generated by farms. Under the A+B-C component-pricing system, a representative herd of 100 milking cows generated €823.02 in gross milk revenue per day during the relevant week, down from €1,040.63 in the same week of 2025. The daily difference was €217.61, mainly reflecting lower payments for fat and protein.

Over a month, the difference amounted to an estimated €6,745 for a 100-cow dairy operation. Industry advisers said that supplementary rations were needed to protect herd condition and maintain lactation, while fodder shortages and narrower margins placed pressure on farm-level cash flow as herds entered autumn.