Departmental Data

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022

Thursday, 8 September 2022

Questions (2127)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

2127. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of herds that will be over the 6,500 kg band under the proposed bands to be introduced under the nitrates regulations; the number of cows that will be in that category; the percentage of herds that will be within the 4,500 kg-6,500 kg band and the number of cows that will be in that category; the percentage of herds that will be under the band; the number of cows that will be in that category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43007/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Ireland’s new Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) introduced additional measures to protect surface waters and groundwater from nutrient pollution arising from agricultural sources. It includes new provisions for the banding of Dairy Cow Excretion Rates.

In 2022, dairy cows produce 89kg N/cow per year. However three new excretion rate bands will apply to dairy cows from 2023: 80kg N/cow, 92kg N/cow and 106 kg N/cow. Herds will be assigned to one of these bands based on their rolling historic average milk yield/cow.

The profile of banding for the National Dairy Herd for 2019 is illustrated in the Table below.

Profile of banding of the National Dairy Herd for the 2019

Milk Yield bands and Year	Supplier %	Milk %	Milk Yield kg
<4,500kg
2019	18	8	3,687
4501-6500 kg
2019	67	68	5,523
<6,501kg
2019	15	24	7,162

Question No. 2128 answered with Question No. 2121.