Dairies in Thuringia face a decline in numbers. - Decline in the count of dairies in Thuringia observed
Thriving Agriculture in Thuringia Stymied by Dairy Farm Decline
In a stark news for the Thuringian farming community, the number of operating dairy farms in the state has plummeted by half over the past decade. A response from the Thuringian Ministry of Economics to an inquiry by AfD state parliamentarian Melanie Berger reveals that there were merely 280 dairy farms left in 2023, in sharp contrast to the 500 ten years ago.
The drop in the number of dairy cows has not been as steep, having fallen by approximately 24% to 82,900 animals. A decade ago, this figure stood at 109,000.
The diminishing landscape of dairy farms in Thuringia is a phenomenon mirrored across the nation. The decline, says Andreas Ritter, dairy specialist of the Thuringian Farmers' Association, is due to a variety of factors: decreasing profitability, aging farmer demographic, and growing competition, compounded by a dearth of skilled agricultural workers. As a result, fewer farms are indulging in dairy production, choosing instead to focus on larger facilities and increased mechanization.
The total milk production in Thuringia experienced a remarkable decrease of around 21% in nine years, even though farm numbers halved during the same period. Last year, dairy farms in conventional agriculture churned out 770,000 tonnes of milk, according to Federal Statistical Office figures.
Organic dairy farming in Thuringia barely registers: the Federal Statistical Office reports only 20 of the nationwide 4,890 organic farms with dairy operations in 2023. This figure has barely budged over the past decade, despite the nationwide surge. Together, the Thuringian organic farms maintain 1,800 dairy cows. The scarcity of dairies in the region, which must adhere to strict conventional-organic separation, is cited as the primary reason.
Economic pressures, structural changes, environmental and regulatory challenges, labor shortages, changing consumer preferences, and technological challenges are among the factors precipitating the decline of dairy farms in Thuringia. Addressing these issues may necessitate policy support, innovation, and efforts to attract young farmers and champion sustainable dairy practices.
Industry support through financial aid could assist in boosting dairy production, helping to preserve milk and milk product farms in the struggling Thuringian community. Furthermore, investing in renewable energy solutions might reduce operational costs for farms, promoting sustainability and competitiveness within the dairy industry.
