Irish Milk Solids Remain Resilient Despite Slight Decline in Herd Numbers

Mid-June data from the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) shows that the average milk solids production in Ireland remains steady at 1.9 kilograms per cow per day. This performance occurs despite a slight 1% reduction in the total number of recorded dairy cows, which currently stands at 1,056,515 across 8,684 herds.

During a recent ten-day evaluation period from June 9 to 19, 147,792 cows were recorded across 1,210 independent herds, resulting in an average herd size of 122 cows. The average milk yield during this period was 25.19 kilograms per cow, with a compositional breakdown of 4.03 percent butterfat and 3.53 percent milk protein, contributing to the stable milk solids output.

Historically, peak milk solids production in Ireland occurs between March 24 and April 10, reaching an average of 2.15 kilograms per cow daily, surpassing the 2025 peak of 2.11 kilograms. This growth has been attributed to high-quality grass availability, which enhances nutrient conversion during the peak breeding period.

However, there is concern over milk quality, particularly regarding somatic cell count (SCC) levels. The average SCC recorded during mid-June was 160,000 cells/ml, which remains significantly above the industry target of under 100,000 cells/ml. Dairy experts emphasize the importance of maintaining hygiene practices to prevent mastitis, which can affect profitability.

The economic implications of regular milk recording, which costs approximately €12 per cow annually, are seen as beneficial. Continuous monitoring allows farmers to track individual cow health, identify issues like mastitis, and ensure high milk quality, ultimately supporting farm profitability.