SCOTLAND has lost 17 dairy farms since January 2016, taking the total from 974 to 957 – the lowest number of dairy farms in this country since records began in 1903.

The number of dairy cows has also declined on the year, down by 2529 to 173,306, although this is the second highest recorded number of dairy cattle since 1997.

In the nine counties overall, Lanarkshire saw a decline of six herds, Wigtownshire saw a drop of five, Aberdeenshire a loss of four, and there are now no dairy herds left in Banffshire.

However, some counties managed to increase the number of cows, with Kirkcudbrightshire increasing by 779 cows, while others increased these marginally, including Kinross shire, Orkney, Peebles, Perthshire and Stirlingshire.

Secretary of the Scottish Dairy Herd Analysis, Janette Mathie, said: "Overall, 2016 has been a horrible experience for many dairy farmers, with farm gate prices below the cost of production for much of the year, but prices now show an improving trend which I hope will continue to rise in line with the world market for dairy products.

"The SDCA would strongly advocate that industry funded bodies spend a far larger share of their funding promoting dairy produce to the public, which, in turn, would benefit both the producer and milk processor."

She added: "Early signs are that at least four completely new dairy farms will start production in 2017 and others may increase cows so I hope it does not lead to over production which will adversely affect the present optimism in the industry."