Where has the number of cows increased the fastest?

In 2017 there were 1.693.385 cows in the Netherlands. In 2000 that number was 1.504.076 cows. But in which province did the number of cows increase the fastest between 2000 and 2017? A new top 5, compiled by Statistics Netherlands, provides the answer.

The number of dairy farms in 2000 amounted to 29.466. That number dropped to 17 dairy farms in 18.056 years. However, with the fact that the number of cows has increased, so has the number of cows per farm; from 51 cows in 2000 to 93,7 in 2017.

The gold medal
The largest growth can be seen in the province of Friesland. In 2000, this province had 258.919 dairy cows. That number rose to 2017 dairy cows in 306.960, an increase of 48.041 cows.

However, if we look at the number of companies, we see a sharp decline. In 2000 the number of dairy farms amounted to 3.998 and in 2017 that number dropped to 2.771 farms. That means a decrease of 1.227 dairy farms. If we also look at the size classes in this province, we see that they are much more spread out. In 2000, the 50-80 size class was especially popular, in 2017 it is the 120-180 dairy cows class. 

This is also reflected in the number of cows per farm. In 2000 this number was 64,7 cows, but in 2017 the number of dairy cows per farm increased to 110,7. Finally, it is striking that the number of cows has decreased compared to 2016; from 314.222 to 306.960. This is probably related to the phosphate reduction plan. The abolition of the milk quota is also reflected in the figures. The number of cows rose sharply between 2015 and 2016; from 292.204 to 314.222 (with approximately 113 cows per farm).

The silver medal
Second place is for the province of Groningen. In the year 2000, this province had about 79.786 dairy cows. That number has increased to 17 cows in 107.914 years, an increase of 28.128 dairy cows. However, here too the number of farms with dairy cows has fallen sharply. In 2017 that number was 936, in 2000 there were still 1.366 dairy farms in Groningen.

What is striking is that the number of cows per farm has also risen sharply here. In 2000 the average number of cows per farm was 58,4. That number increased to 2017 cows per farm in 115,2. This increase in the number of cows per farm is also reflected when we look at the distribution of the size classes. In 2000 the most popular size class in Groningen was 50-80 dairy cows. In 2017 that is 80-120 dairy cows.

The lowest step of the podium
The bronze medal is for the province of Overijssel. The number of dairy cows here in 2000 amounted to 243.329 cows. That number increased to 2017 cows in 270.248, an increase from 26.919 cows. However, here too it is apparent that the number of dairy farms is declining rapidly.

In 2000 there were still 5.443 dairy farms counted. That number dropped to 2017 in 3.213, down from 2.230 companies. This also shows that the number of cows per farm has increased; from 44,7 in 2000 to 84,1 in 2017. This is also reflected in the most popular size classes in the province. In 2000 it was 50-80 dairy cows, but in 2017 it was 80-120 dairy cows.

Just next to the boat
The province of Drenthe is in fourth place. In 2000, 89.492 dairy cows were counted in this province. In 2017, that number increased to 112.941 dairy cows, an increase of 23.449 cows. However, here too it can be seen that the companies have become larger and larger. In 2000 the average number of cows per farm was 54,4 cows. In 2017, that number rose to 106,5, almost doubling.

The fact that the farms have become larger is related to the fact that fewer dairy farms are counted. In 2000 there were still 1.643 dairy farms in Drenthe. That number has fallen to 17 companies in 1.060 years, down from 583 companies.

Last in line
The province of North Holland is in fifth place. In 2017, 89.731 dairy cows were counted in this province. That number was much lower in 2000: 76.083 cows. So in 17 years there has been an increase of 13.648 cows. The number of cows per farm has also risen sharply; from 48 in 2000 to 87,8 in 2017.

The number of dairy farms has fallen sharply. In 2000, 1.583 dairy farms were registered. In 2017, that number dropped to 1.021, a decrease of 562 dairy farms.

The number of cows and farms from 2000 to 2017

 
* Figures are from Statistics Netherlands.

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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