Challenging short-term future for dairy industry

The next year will be difficult for milk producers as the cuts and efficiencies made during the dairy crisis affect technical and financial performance, according to agri-consultant, Promar.

The outlook came following its release of annual farm business accounts results for the year ending March 2016, in which profits in their sample were down 48.8% on the previous period.

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Despite suffering the worst dairy conditions for 30 years, the UK is yet to see a mass exodus of dairy farmers, with numbers shrinking just 1.6% over the past 12 months.

However, the consultants said some producers could be waiting for notice periods or contracts to run out, as well as the end of the EU milk reduction scheme before leaving the industry in 2017.

Efficiency savings, particularly lower calf numbers and retained youngstock made during the previous dairy cycle beginning in March 2014, would start to tell by the end of next year, said Promar. 

Sample figures show that increases to youngstock in relation to herd size slowed over the last two cycles and genetic progress may have slowed due to reducing the use of AI to reduce costs.

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Although farmgate milk prices rose by 12.95% in the three months from June 2016, the reduction in national herd size, (down 2% between July 2015 and July 2016) and a fall in UK milk production, down 8.05% over the same period, meant producers wouldn’t be able to simply turn the taps back on moving into 2017.

Capital investment in the year to March 2016, which restricted the ability for herds to pick up production swiftly.

Savings struggle

These large savings could not continue indefinitely, said farm consultancy manager at Promar, Nigel Davies.

“These big cuts can be sustained for a few years but they can’t be put off forever. In the next two to three years producers will be forced to address these costs.”

Mr Davies said that current milk price increases would not be enough on their own to lead to a recovery in farm finances.

Brighter future

“With evidence of poorer quality forages and increasing feed prices, dairy margins will probably only hold in this year, but with prospects improving in the next financial year.”

Those who weathered the recent crisis and are most equipped moving into 2017 are producers who had reacted to the economic environment, pursued technical efficiencies and taken tough decisions, said Mr Davies.

“The crisis has left us with far more efficient dairy sector, with lots of producers making the most of forage and minimising bought in feed.”

“The best will plan ahead not just on the basis of this year’s expectations, but also the year beyond and the associated twists and turns of volatility.”