October Key Month For Milk
UK - Although most Dairy producers have received a promise price hike recently, October is also gearing-up to be a crunch month for the dairy industry, with many farmers set to view the price they get that month as being the barometer for how well their processor is doing in capitalising on record commodity dairy prices, reports Farming UK.
24 August 2007
2 minute read
Expectations on prices are higher now than they have been for well over a decade . . . and the outlook for dairying is excellent. But have the dairy companies capitalised on the opportunities? Will they be delivering to their farmers a price that they are happy with? And, whatever the price, will it be enough to keep the milk flowing profitably when set against cost price increases?
That's the main challenge for them as the UK's output is already well below optimum levels, and that's even before the industry hits the trough month of November. But Mr White says that presents a huge opportunity for farmers, and is another reason why a visit to the show is essential for dairy farmers.
There will be some big financial incentives to produce a lot of milk in the winter. But the problem could be getting the cows to milk, however, or to get them to do so profitably in light of the wet summer, indifferent forage quality for many and high feed prices – up £40 a tonne on last winter.
"The next month or so will be critical for many dairy farmers as they need the sun to bring out the best in the maize crop. That could make the difference between good or poor milk production throughout the winter months."
Either way, there will be a multitude of specialists and skills at the Dairy Show for farmers to tap into and seek advice from. Over 230 stands and industry experts including John Alvis of Alvis Brothers, Ian Potter the quota broker, Pete Nicholson of Wiseman and Rex Ward of Milk Link will be sharing their expertise and opinions.
"There is no better place to get the answers to all of the burning questions for the winter," says Mr White. "All the experts from across the country come to the show, and are always willing to advise and guide. We look forward to seeing a lot of farmers.
TheCattleSite News Desk
