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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 13th January 2015
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Dairy farmer numbers could halve in 10 years
dairy cows
In December 2014 alone, 60 dairy farmers left the industry.
NFU "completely appalled" by ongoing price cuts

In just 10 years there could be fewer than 5,000 dairy farmers in England and Wales - half the current number - the National Farmers' Union (NFU) has warned.

As a result of ongoing milk price cuts, some farmers are now receiving just 20 pence per litre (ppl), yet farm costs are 36 per cent higher than they were eight years ago. Furthermore, the cost of animal feed has doubled since 2007.

NFU president Meurig Raymond commented: "This combination has left many producers under extreme financial pressure and fearing for the future of their dairy businesses."

In December 2014 alone, 60 dairy farmers left the industry. Just under 10,000 dairy producers remain, which is half the number there were in 2002. By 2025, NFU predicts the number could halve again if the current situation continues.

Rob Harrison, NFU's dairy board chairman, said: "I, like my colleagues on the NFU dairy board, are completely appalled by the ongoing price cuts crippling our industry and we are working hard to support our members and their businesses in every way we can."

The latest blow to the dairy farming sector came last week when First Milk announced it would delay payments to dairy farmers by two weeks.

NFU has been in urgent talks with the dairy company and has said its time scales are "unacceptable".

Mr Raymond said that while the global downturn in milk prices cannot be reversed, there are steps that can be taken to improve the situation for dairy farmers.

"We will continue our difficult but necessary discussions with all the processors as well as with retailers. What we want is an economically sustainable dairy industry for the future.

"As farmers face volatile markets, I’m also convinced that the government can do more to help by ensuring its policies are sympathetic to the current situation and will help farmers and farming businesses continue forwards."


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RUMA CA&E extends survey deadline

News Story 1
 RUMA CA&E has extended the deadline for its online survey into vaccine availability.

Vets, SQPs, retailers and wholesalers will now have until Friday, 26 September at 5pm to submit their response.

The survey aims to further understanding into the vaccine supply challenges faced by the sector. It will also consider the short and long term impacts of disruption issues.

Insights are anonymous, and will be shared with industry stakeholders and government bodies.

The survey can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA publishes Guide to Nutrition in Small Animal Practice

The BSAVA has added a small animal nutrition advice booklet to its series of BSAVA guides.

The BSAVA Guide to Nutrition in Small Animal Practice offers a resource for veterinary professionals to provide appropriate nutrition for animals. As well as maintaining the wellbeing of healthy pets, the guide explores how nutritional requirements change in times of illness and disease.

The guide is divided into five sections, which explore the importance of nutritional assessment; diet types; feeding at different life stages; feeding for specific situations; and feeding for specific diseases. Online resources are also in the BSAVA Library including client handouts and videos.

It is designed to be suitable for referencing, in-depth case planning and team training sessions.

The BSAVA Guide to Nutrition in Small Animal Practice can be purchased online from the BSAVA store.