2023-09-15 21:09:59
The number of dairy cows in Switzerland continues to decline. It reached a historic low in July with just under 515,000 animals, according to the Swiss Milk Producers (PSL). Milk production increases slightly.
The trend has been downward for many years, but more marked since last fall following four years of relative stability, indicates the German-speaking agricultural information service (LID) in a statement Friday. It refers to figures published by the Swiss Milk Producers (PSL).
In June 2023, there were 11,500 fewer dairy cows than a year earlier, which represents a decrease of 2.2%. In June 2012, the country still had just over 585,000 dairy cows.
>> The evolution of the number of dairy cows since 2012, according to LID figures
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Rising production costs
According to the PSL, it is mainly the increase in production costs which explains this reduction in the dairy herd. “The price of milk is certainly higher than a few years ago, but the costs that producers have to face have increased massively,” the spokesperson said.
The war in Ukraine, inflation and the effects of the pandemic explain this increase in costs. The structural change in the sector, the heat and the lack of fodder on certain farms due to a poor harvest in 2022 are also blamed.
Fewer cows, however, do not mean less milk. The PSL figures show that production for the first six months of 2023 is slightly above that of the previous year. Automation in barns makes it possible to produce more with fewer livestock.
>> Review the subject from 7:30 p.m. on July 9 on the difficulties of milk producers:
Swiss milk producers are sticking their tongues out. More and more of them are giving up. / 7:30 p.m. / 2 min. / July 9, 2023
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