Estonia’s average milk production tops 8,000 kg

Photo: Ants Liigus

As of January 1^st 2013, performance testing of milk cows stood at 833 herds and 90,274 cows, which is 94 per cent of all cows in Estonia. The leading regions being Järva County, Lääne-Viru County and Jõgeva County with 13,305, 10,769, and 9,976 cows, respectively.

According to Animal Recording Centre, the average milk production of cows under performance testing for 2012 amounted to 8,059 kilograms. As compared to 2011, this means increase of 303 kg.

Estonian Holstein’s average milk production was 8,232 kg, and that of Estonian Red – 7,539 kg. The average production of Estonian Native cattle was 4,551 kg of milk.

In 2012, one county averaged over 9,000 kg of milk per cow, plus another six crossing the 8,000 kg line. The top cows come from Tartu County (9,108 kg), Põlva County (8,521 kg), Lääne-Viru County (8,337 kg), Jõgeva County (8,243 kg), Rapla County (8,190 kg), Järva County (8,154 kg) and Pärnu County (8,098 kg).

According to average yearly milk production, the best herds were:

in up to 100 average cows category, Lea Puur (32 cows, average; 31 present) – 11,391 kg;

in over 100 average cows category, Soone Farm OÜ (189 cows, average; 207 present) – 11,451 kg.