GB dairy population: January 2026 marks the lowest on record

The GB milking herd totalled 1.60 million head as of January 2026, the lowest January number and the lowest number recorded in a decade (as shown by the light blue line in Figure 1), and a 1.3% decline from the same month the previous year (Figure 2).

The GB female herd total stood at 2.47 million head, a 1.6% decline year-on-year. A fall was seen across all age groups with the exception of 4–6 year olds.

The average age of a cow in the GB milking herd now stands at 4.53 years, slightly older than last year’s figures.

Figure 1. GB female dairy population (million head)

Source: BCMS

Looking into the different age categories, cows aged between 2–4 years recorded the largest decline of nearly 30,000 head, followed by those under two years, having dropped by 20,000 head (Figure 2).

The downward trend in the under-two-years has continued from April 2023 onwards.

The 4–6 years category continued to increase, logging an additional 15,000 head, easing some of the decline (Figure 2). This growth has mainly come from the calves born in the youngstock boom of 2021 now progressing through the milking herd.

Cows aged 6–8 years saw a small decline of 1,000 head year-on-year but those over eight years saw a decline of 5,000 head (Figure 2).

The trend of declining number of older cows in the GB dairy herd continues.

Despite an overall loss of 1.3% to the milking herd, GB milk deliveries have seen record volumes this season.

Higher yields per cow have been the major driver of the increasing output.

Farmers are making use of better genetics improving the herd efficiency and focusing on younger cows.

Higher cull cow prices are an incentive for farmers to move on older cows in the herd, which could reduce numbers further going forward as low milk price pressures hit.

Figure 2. Annual change in GB dairy herd by age as on 1 January 2026 (thousand head)

Source: BCMS

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