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Fewer dairy births registered in Q3
Thursday, 24 November 2022
Calf registrations to dairy dams reached 430,084 head for the third quarter of the year (Jul-Sep), according to BCMS data. This is 1.3% (5,855 head) back on the same period last year, the first decrease seen in Q3 since 2018. However, registrations for the quarter remain above the 5-year average by 2.3% (9,891 head).
In the year to date (Jan-Sep), births to dairy dams totalled 1,147,821 head, a decrease of 0.9% (10,419 head) on the same period last year. Despite this decrease, recorded births for the year so far is 2.4% above the 5-year average (26,822 head), and is the second highest number of registered births in over a decade*.
Dairy calf registrations have been lower in most months this year compared with last. This may be a reflection of the pressures facing dairy farm businesses from high production costs and labour shortages, impeding any potential expansion.
While births so far this year are slightly down, youngstock numbers remain at relatively high levels. The number of dairy females aged 0-2 years have been on the rise the last couple of years, helped in part by increasing use of sexed semen. Discussions at the Milk Forecasting Forum have indicated that while there are ample replacements available, it is unlikely to result in herd expansion, considering the uncertainty and challenges facing the industry at present.
*data back to 2011
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