Tough spring conditions saw an increase of 21% in the number of on-farm cow deaths compared to 2017.

Figures from the Department of Agriculture show that 53,650 cows were recorded as on-farm deaths between January and May this year.

This includes 37,886 dairy cows aged 24 months and over and 15,764 beef cows, marking a 25% and 10% increase respectively. The number of on-farm spring calf deaths also increased, up by 12% to 83,950, which includes stillborn figures.

Calves aged zero to six weeks saw figures of 48,158 for beef and 35,792 for dairy.

The number of beef calf deaths went up by 15% compared to spring 2017, while dairy calf deaths were up by 9%.

Figures from the Department also showed a 3% drop in calf birth registrations between March and June.

Overall, on-farm deaths this spring increased by 18% standing at 191,333 cattle in total.

Prolonged housing due to poor weather conditions, which led to an increased risk of disease outbreaks is the main factor behind the increased death toll.

An additional 433,448 cattle are estimated as alive in June 2018 compared with June 2013, according to the Department.