SCOTTISH DAIRY CATTLE ASSOCIATION Representing the Dairy Cattle Industry of Scotland Secretary Janette Mathie Registered Charity No. SC009282 6 Lambhill Terrace Lockerbie, DG11 2HX Tel/Fax 01576 202 129 Mobile 07810 128 649 Email [email protected] Press Release Dairy herds and cows on the increase in Scotland. Since the 1st. January 2014 dairy herds in Scotland have increased by a net 8 to 1001 and dairy cows by 9646 to a total of 173283 the highest number since 1997. Much of the increase is due to a few cows more in most herds but also 9 new dairy herds started during the year have added 1685 cows to the total. The total numbers are likely to rise with further new farms starting milking very soon. The average size of herd increased by 8 to 173 the highest on record and the highest in the UK. Milk recorded cows increased by 7431 to an average herd size of 207 representing over 71% of the total population. Counties recording the largest increase in cow numbers were Ayrshire +1460, Dumfriesshire +1783, Kircudbrightshire +1895 and Wigtownshire +1673 but all other counties did increase by smaller amounts. Commenting on the data Janette Mathie secretary of the Scottish Dairy Cattle Association said ‘With the present disastrous price paid for milk ex farm these increases in farms and cow numbers will surprise many but plans and investment were made two or more years ago when it was known quotas were coming to an end, returns were good and optimists were encouraging expansion due to export potential. Unfortunately everyone in the EU had the same idea which has led to a surplus of milk and dairy products with the Russian embargo on dairy imports not helping.’ END Note :- Not for publication before 2nd January 2015
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