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The number of cows that have been milk recorded so far in 2020 is back 20% compared to the same period last year.
So far in 2020 almost 396,000 cows have been recorded, back about 100,000 cows on the same period last year.
COVID-19 is likely to be the main reason for the fall in the number of cows being recorded, as manual milk recorders are no longer permitted to visit farms to carry out the recording.
Last year, about half of all cows being recorded were done so manually, with the other half recorded using electronic DIY meters.
Cost increase
Some milk recording organisations increased the cost of recording by 20% at the start of the year.
Farmers who milk record their herds gain an extra €42/cow gross margin over those who don’t, Teagasc research has shown.
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