Ireland has 1.5 million dairy cows which is the same number as 1984 when the milk quota system started. During the quota period the number of cows decreased to around one million head. At the start of the quota system in 1984 Ireland produced 378000 kilogram of milk solids or 266kilogram of milk solids per cow. Last year Ireland produced more than 700000 kilogram of milk solids or 452 kilogram per cow.