This is in contrast to the growing numbers employed in the dairy products industry, which incorporates dairy processors, as global dairy exports from Ireland continue to grow, increasing from 5,044 in 2011 to 6,150 in 2016.

A fall in livestock holders is reflected in the challenging incomes of the sector as highlighted by results from the Teagasc 2016 national farm survey. The survey highlighted that the average cattle farm income is only €12,908. “Cattle farmers are still very reliant on direct payments, which comprise a large proportion of their income,” said Brian Moran of the Teagasc agricultural economics and farm surveys department. Sheep farming returned a stable income, averaging €16,011 last year, as increased payments compensated for lower lamb prices.

However, with the average direct payment per farm nearly €18,000 in 2016, this contributed to 75% of farm income on average and almost 100% for drystock farmers.

Tillage farmer numbers actually increased over the same period, up to 4,198 in 2016, which was a modest increase from 3,705 in 2011.

The total number employed in agriculture, forestry and fishing in Ireland has decreased from 91,176 in 2011 to 88,637 in 2016.

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Number of livestock farmers down by over 4,000 since 2011

Recent figures released by the CSO show that the number of farmers currently operating livestock enterprises has dropped to 73,630 in 2016, down from 77,978 in 2011.