Challenging March hits milk supplies

Recently released data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) have pointed to a decline in both the volume of milk and its contained protein delivered to processors and co-ops over the month of March.

Estimates from the national statistics office suggest a domestic milk intake of 753.8 million litres in March 2024, a decrease of 47.6 million litres (-5.9%) when compared with March 2023 and down 54.8 million litres (-6.8%) when compared with the same month in 2022.

In addition, domestic milk intake for the period January to March 2024 was estimated at 1,254.1 million litres, a decline of 108.7 million litres (-8%) when compared with the same period in 2023, and down by 105.2 million litres (-7.7%) when compared with January to March 2022.

The fall in milk supplies over the month of March follows a reduction in February supplies of 13.3% or 50.6 million litres. Although dairy calf registrations were running behind up until the end of February, this was not the case for March. Data presented by the ICBF up to March 29, 2024, shows that 1.1 million calves were registered to dairy dams this year – up 20,592 head on the corresponding period in 2023.

The CSO also reports on fat and protein deliveries with Giselle Myles, Statistician in the Agriculture Section of the CSO, commenting: “The fat content increased from 4.35% to 4.40%, while protein content decreased from 3.31% to 3.25% when compared with March 2023.”

The decline in milk volumes and its protein component may be as a result of challenging grazing conditions on farm over the month of March. Heavy rain and water logged soils resulted in many dairy cows being retained indoors for longer on silage and concentrate diets, reducing the opportunities to graze spring grass.