The statement was made in light of the recent release from the MLC into the true costs of unpaid family labour on cattle and sheep farms.

The MLC study mirrors and substantiates the work done by RABDF in 2005, which determined that on average unpaid family labour equated to an additional 3.81ppl on the cost of milk production.

RABDF chairman, Tim Brigstocke comments: “It is essential dairy farmers make sure their costings reflect the true costs of milk production, which are currently around 21ppl. In order to establish an accurate representation of the financial state of their dairy enterprise, the inclusion of a notional figure in their costings to account for their unpaid labour input is of paramount importance. We suggest introducing a value of at least 4ppl.

Source: Stackyard News