Production per cow exceeds 9.000 kilos

The dairy sector clearly demonstrates its ability to improve mineral efficiency. The focus on phosphate production is particularly visible, which increases the phosphate efficiency of the livestock. This is evident from the sustainability key figures of the Association of Accountants and Tax Advisers (VLB).

In addition to the focus on the higher phosphate efficiency of the livestock, it is also visible that the nitrogen efficiency has increased. The nitrogen soil surplus has also decreased, which is a favorable development in the context of clean groundwater.

Milk production is increasing
Milk production per farm rose to 2017 kilos in 1.028.002, where that in 2016 was still 1.004.473 kilos. This is striking, because the number of cows has decreased (partly due to the phosphate reduction plan). In 2016, the number of cows per farm still amounted to 114,2, whereas in 2017 this fell to 112,1. This means that milk production per cow has increased; in 2017 it amounted to 9.170 kilos, compared to 2016 kilos in 8.794. It is also the first time that the milk production per cow has exceeded 9.000 kilos.

On the other hand, it is striking that the livestock density is at the same level as last year (2,8 LU per hectare). This would mean that, in addition to the decrease in the number of cows, there would also be less land available. However, this is not directly reflected in the figures. What is shown is the fact that the share of grassland has decreased. That percentage was 2016% in 82,9, but fell to 2017% in 81,4.

Pasture grazing more popular, but fewer hours
The percentage of dairy farmers that grazing applied, rose to 2017% in 73,3. In 2016, that percentage was still 72,1%. In contrast, the number of days that dairy cows graze has decreased to 141 days and the number of hours decreased to 6,8 per day.

It is also noticeable that fewer young stock are kept per 10 dairy cows. This number fell to 2016 in 6,5 and continued this decline in 2017 to 5,84 young cattle per 10 dairy cows. In addition, a number of new figures have been announced. It turns out that 61% of the protein requirement is obtained from one's own country. 

Phosphate and Nitrogen Efficiency
The phosphate efficiency of livestock increased by 2016% to 2017% between 1,5 and 35,1. The nitrogen efficiency of the livestock increased by 0,7% to 36%. The figures also show that the nitrogen surplus in the soil has fallen sharply. In 2016, this amounted to 140,5 kilos per hectare, where in 2017 it decreased to 124,6 kilos per hectare.

Finally, it appears that the reservation capacity scored above average last year (€11,17 per kilo of milk), compared to 2016 (€4,41 per kilo of milk). It means that the sector has been able to more than meet the mandatory repayments and replacement investments. 

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Kimberly Baker

Kimberly Bakker is an all-round editor at Boerenbusiness. She also has an eye for the social media channels of Boerenbusiness.

k.baker @boerenbusiness. Nl

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