North Yorkshire sees largest drop in dairy farmer numbers
North Yorkshire has lost more dairy farms than any other county in England and Wales over the past three years, according to data collected by AHDB Dairy.
According to an update published by the levy body, the number of dairy farms in the North Yorkshire region fell by 87 between July 2013 and 2016.
Over the same period, Cumbria lost 72 farms, while Cheshire saw the closure of 64 dairy businesses.
See also: Six ways to cut costs on your dairy by making marginal gains
Counties that have seen the greatest loss of dairy farms 2013-16
- North Yorkshire – 87
- Cumbria – 72
- Cheshire – 64
- Somerset – 61
- Devon – 57
- Staffordshire – 56
- Cornwall and the Isle of Scilly – 54
- Lancashire – 46
- Dorset – 40
In total, producer numbers for England and Wales have fallen by more than 1,000 over the past three years.
Another 21 businesses closed between June and July 2016, taking the total number of dairy farms to a new low of 9,538.
The figures highlight the effect of the current dairy crisis which has seen farmgate prices plummet in the face of global market volatility.
Although spot prices are improving – giving producers hope that the market may finally be in recovery – prices remain significantly below the cost of production for many farmers, so times are still challenging.
Acknowledging the fact that more producers could still be considering exiting the sector, AHDB has produced a video featuring farmers who have already made the decision to get out.