In 2010, Ireland set the target of increasing its milk production by 50 per cent by 2020 - from approximately 4.9bn litres to 7.4bn. Teagasc's latest outlook puts the country's milk production at 7.5bn litres for 2018, 3 per cent up on 2017 and in excess of the target. Furthermore, Teagasc are forecasting 2019 production to be up another 6 per cent on 2018.
According to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), this impressive growth from Ireland will be mainly targeted towards export markets. Ireland is a key source of dairy imports for the UK, but could also be a key competitor if the UK is looking to grow its exports.
With such rapid growth, there now appears to be growing concerns that environmental targets could be implemented to deal with issues surrounding nitrates or the production of greenhouse gases.
Market round-up
Messrs Craig Wilson Ltd held their Christmas show and sale of prime lambs in Newton Stewart on Wednesday when there were 24 pens of three presented for judging. The championship was awarded to a pen of Charollais crosses from the MacTier Family, Boghouse Farm, Mochrum that weighed 52kg each and went on to sell for £130 apiece or 250p per kg. The reserve ticket went to J Clark, West Glengyre, Leswalt for Texels that scaled 45kg and made £100.
The MacTier Family also had the 1st prize pen of Blackface lambs that weighed 45kg and fetched £90.
The overall average for the 1871 prime lambs sold (including the show lambs) levelled at 179.1p per kg (+1.1p on the week).
There were also 405 cast sheep that were a poorer show for quality resulting in a slightly cheaper trade on the week for all classes. The 156 heavy ewes forward sold to £110 for Suffolks and averaged £57.61, while 242 light/export-type ewes peaked at £78 for Cheviots and levelled at £40.60.
C&D Auction Marts Ltd sold 4 prime heifers in Dumfries on Wednesday to a top of 201p per kg and an average of 181p, while 8 prime bullocks peaked at 205p and levelled at 177p.
In the rough ring 25 beef cows sold to 107p and averaged 85p, while 63 dairy cows peaked at 97p and levelled at 75p.
The firm also sold 1322 prime lambs to a top of £91.50 per head and 206p per kg to average 175p (-9p).
A good show of 721 cast sheep saw heavy ewes sell to £131 for Texels and average £58, while light ewes peaked at £54.50 for Cheviots and levelled at £44.
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