Dairy farm count in Thuringia is declining. - Dairy farm count in Thuringia diminishes.
Decline in Dairy Farms in Thuringia: Number of Farms and Cows Decreases Over Decade
The Thuringian agricultural sector has witnessed a notable decline in the number of dairy farms over the past decade. According to data from the Thuringian Ministry of Economy, a mere 280 dairy farms remained operational in 2023, a significant drop from 500 a decade prior.
While the number of dairy cows has not decreased as drastically, it has seen a reduction of approximately 24%, leaving 82,900 dairy cows currently in the region.
The Thuringian Farmers' Association attributes this trend to a combination of factors, including the closure of smaller dairy farms, investments in larger facilities, and the shortage of skilled agricultural workers. According to Andreas Ritter, the milk specialist of the Thuringian Farmers' Association, these factors lead to more animals and milk being produced per operation.
As a result, the total amount of milk produced has decreased by around 21% in nine years, even though the number of operations has nearly halved. Last year, traditional Thuringian dairy farms produced 770,000 tonnes of milk, according to figures from the Federal Statistical Office.
Organic dairy farming in Thuringia plays a limited role in the production of organic products, with only 20 of the approximately 4,890 organic farms nationwide having dairy cows. This number has remained constant over the past decade despite the nationwide trend. Today, these Thuringian organic farms house 1,800 dairy cows, with low numbers of dairies in the country being a contributing factor.
The decline in dairy farms is part of a broader trend across Europe, with economic pressures, regulatory changes, technological advancements, succession issues, and market competition playing key roles in the industry's evolution. Despite efforts by governments and agricultural organizations to support small-scale dairy farmers, structural changes towards larger, more efficient operations persist. A focus on sustainable practices and innovation among remaining farms is becoming increasingly important in the quest for competitiveness in a challenging market environment.
- The Thuringian agricultural sector, facing a decline in dairy farms, is now seeking community aid to help sustain the production of milk and milk products, with the industry's financial health being affected by the decrease in operations.
- As the focus shifts towards larger facilities in the dairy industry, innovative methods and sustainable practices are crucial for the survival of remaining Thuringian dairy farms, ensuring competitiveness in the production of milk and milk products despite the challenging market environment.
