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Milking herd hits record low as 190 producers exit dairy sector

Latest AHDB milk buyers' survey says favourable cull cow prices and input costs have 'incentivised' people to shift focus

Jane Thynne
Head of News and Business
clock • 2 min read
According to the latest AHDB survey of major milk buyers, there has been a 2.3% reduction in the number of producers since the levy body’s previous survey in October 2025
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According to the latest AHDB survey of major milk buyers, there has been a 2.3% reduction in the number of producers since the levy body’s previous survey in October 2025

The British milking herd has hit a record low as a new survey suggests an estimated 160 dairy producers have quit over the past 12 months. According to the latest AHDB survey of major milk buyers, there...

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