asked the Minister for Agriculture the percentage of herds in creamery areas calving in each of the first four months of 1977.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Calving Herds .
16.
: There is no statistical information on which a reply to the Deputy's question can be based. It can, however, be estimated from statistics on AI usage that 82 per cent of total calving during 1977 in the main creamery areas in the south occurred during the first four months of 1977.
: Would the Minister say there is a relative increase in February calving?
: There is no statistical evidence to show it except the evidence that I have just told the House about. I do feel there is an expansion of the lactation period at both ends of the lactation year, in the spring and in late autumn. The milk year is being extended, and it needs to be extended.