UK’s 1.9 million cows are the second most productive in the world
A recent analysis by Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) of the Food and Agriculture Organization Corporate Statistical Database (FAOSTAT) has shown that UK dairy cows are world-class, producing over 200 per cent more milk than the global average.
Of the top milk-producing nations, the UK’s 1.9 million cows are the second most productive in the world, producing 15 billion liters of milk every year.
AHDB’s Lead Dairy Analyst Chris Gooderham said: “It’s important to note that dairy production differs greatly across the globe, influenced by cattle breeds, environmental constraints such as climate, socio-economics and culture. However, UK cows are showing that it is theoretically possible to produce the same amount of milk from just 83 million cows as opposed to the current 265 million.”
Such dramatic reductions would inevitability have an impact on dairy’s environmental impact, such as methane emissions and land use.
Over the last 25 years, impressive production rates have contributed to the UK dairy herd shrinking by almost 30 per cent, while UK production has increased by four per cent. Such successes are primarily due to the industry’s investment in genetics and improvements in cow health, according to AHDB’s Head of Animal Genetics Marco Winters.
The UK dairy industry continues to identify ways to improve efficiency on-farm by optimizing resources and reducing waste. The industry is also continually committed to enhancing cow health and welfare.
