Decline in Dairy Farm Count within Thuringia Region - Decline in the count of dairy farms observed in Thuringia
Decline in Thuringia's Dairy Farms Over Past Decade
The count of dairy farms in Thuringian agriculture has experienced a significant drop over the last ten years. According to the Thuringian Ministry of Economics' reply to an inquiry by AfD state parliamentarian Melanie Berger, only 280 dairy farms remained operational in 2023, compared to 500 just a decade ago.
The number of dairy cows has seen a less pronounced decrease, falling by approximately 24% to 82,900 animals. In contrast, ten years ago, there were 109,000 dairy cows.
The Thuringian Farmers' Association points out that this trend can be observed nationwide. Many dairy farms either cease operations or invest in larger stalls and more automation due to a major shortage of skilled agricultural workers. As a result, operations tend to house more animals and produce more milk.
The decrease in the number of dairy farms has had a minimal impact on Thuringia's milk production, with only around a 21% decrease in nine years. Last year, conventional dairy farms in Thuringia produced approximately 770,000 tons of milk.
Organic dairy farming in Thuringia plays a negligible role in producing organic products, with only 20 of the nation's approximately 4,890 organic dairy farms found in Thuringia in 2023. This number has remained stable over the past decade. Together, these Thuringian organic dairy farms held around 1,800 dairy cows. The low number of dairy plants in the region, which must strictly separate conventional and organic production, contributes to this low number, according to sources.
The decline in dairy farms can be attributed to economic pressures, regulatory challenges, market trends, and technological and structural changes. These factors can impact the viability of dairy farms across regions facing similar agricultural challenges. To address these issues, support policies, training programs, and initiatives to improve farm efficiency and market access may be beneficial for regions like Thuringia. Promoting sustainable practices and diversification can also help maintain the viability of dairy farming in the area.
The decline in Thuringia's dairy farms has triggered discussions about community aid for the struggling industry, as the reduction in farm numbers may impact local finance. The implementation of support policies and initiatives for farm efficiency and market access could potentially alleviate the economic pressures and ensure the stability of milk production in Thuringia. With an approximate decrease of 2,270 dairy farms over the past decade, there is a need to explore ways to boost the production of milk and milk products, which are integral to the regional economy and industry.
