Dairy herds data

THERE are now 132 dairy herds in Dumfries and Galloway.

Latest figures show there are 37,262 dairy cows in the region and the average herd size is 282.

Galloway and West Dumfries MSP Finlay Carson shared the data published by the Scottish Dairy Cattle Association (SDCA), which also shows a sharp decline in dairy herd numbers nationwide to 740 overall, which is 230 fewer than a decade ago.

He said: “Behind the headline numbers lie a worrying long-term trend.

“We are seeing fewer dairy farming businesses and while those we still have are investing and growing, we cannot ignore the loss of far too many family-run dairy farms from many parts of rural Scotland.

“Dairy producers are facing rising costs, labour shortages, more and more red tape and ongoing uncertainty.

“If Scotland is serious about strengthening its food security and supporting the rural economy, SNP policies must reflect the strategic importance of the dairy sector.

“It is one of Scottish agriculture’s great success stories, but it must not be taken for granted.”