The Farmers Mart Dec/Jan 2015 - Issue 37 | Page 47

DAIRY WORKSHOPS DESIGNED TO EXPLORE POTENTIAL The future looks worrying for dairy farmers but for those who are determined to carry on, DairyCo is to hold a two day residential workshop on 28-29 January in Hampshire and in the North of England in March 2015. The Planning for Profit workshops enable dairy farmers to work through real financial and management scenarios for their businesses and test options for change. They are aimed at those who have already started to consider making changes to their business, whether expansion, changing calving pattern, boosting milk from forage, planning for business succession, or just looking for more general ways to improve profitability. Rachael Chamberlayne, DairyCo senior product manager, says: “Experienced specialist consultants are on hand to provide support and advice tailored to your needs and guide discussions with other producers to share ideas and develop the shape of your business and personal goals. “Being away from the day-to-day farm tasks provides a chance to focus on the potential of the business. We encourage two attendees per farm as this gives the benefit of sharing thought processes, plus an understanding of equired actions,post -workshop.” Call 024 7647 8788 or visit www.dairyco.org.uk/PlanningforProfit FARMERS ‘DISGUSTED’ AT LATEST MILK PRICE CUTS The latest milk price cuts by processors including Arla, Dairy Crest, First Milk and several smaller processors, are a “another kick in the teeth” for dairy farmers, who are now making “a significant loss for every litre of milk they produce”, says NFU dairy board chairman Rob Harrison. Thousands of British dairy farmers are now being paid 8-10p/litre less than in the spring. Nearly 500 First Milk members on liquid contracts will be paid 21.7p/litre. Farmers For Action (FFA) chairman David Handley said he was “disgusted” by the price cuts. He said the FFA’s peaceful protests against milk processing plants and supermarket depots would continue until farmers were paid a fairer price for their milk. “We would be keen to find out what happens to the money when it goes from the retailer to the processor and what margin is going to the processor.” Giving evidence to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) committee, farm minister George Eustice said he understood the frustrations of dairy farmers, but insisted the industry’s longterm prospects were bright. But the Global Dairy Trade index has now more than halved since February 2014. Milk supplies remain high, with UK daily production running 4.7% up on the year and the EU producing 4.6% more milk in September than it did in 2013. But globally, there is not the demand for the amount of milk being produced. Dairy Industry Honours at UK Dairy Expo 2015 The John Dennison Lifetime Achievement Award is returning to Borderway UK Dairy Expo, held in Carlisle, for the third year running. The award is in memory of the life time industry contribution made by Cumbrian dairy farmer and highly regarded breeder, John Dennison. To read more, visit www.farmers-mart.co.uk Winner of the 2014 award was John Gribbon, a key figure in the UK Holstein success story. This award is given to the nominee judged to have the perfect combination of ability, sportsmanship, integrity and character within the Dairy Industry. The winner will be announced and presented with their award at the 4th Borderway UK Dairy Expo on 7 March 2015 at Carlisle Exhibition Centre. The show case for the UK dairy cattle industry includes Champion Cattle Classes, the International Dairy Youth Championships, and a trade exhibition. Teaming with the event, Total Dairy will also present a dedicated dairy seminar on the afternoon of Friday 6 March at Carlisle Race Course. To make a nomination send a brief resumé on the nominee by 2 February 2015 to the John Dennison Lifetime Achievement Award, Harrison & Hetherington Ltd., Borderway Mart, Rosehill, Carlisle CA1 2RS. FarmersMart Dec/Jan 2015 47 (0