Dairy farmers help me!!

Bald Rick said:

I doubt that the figures were too accurate across the board from all farmers and I fail to see how a snap shot over 12 months at a very low milk price is an accurate representation of the dairy industry in Wales as a whole.
AHDB are actively trying to promote block calving - when the majority of dairy farmers are AYR in any case and for some, eg robotic farms such as mine, have to be AYR in order to maximise the automation. As a levy payer, I am not overly chuffed at their direction of travel

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That's the whole point. It is a snapshot of the state of the industry over a 24 month period and an useful tool for individuals to compare themselves to the rest.
I have no issue whatsoever with this exercise and its a bit of an eye-opener to many I'm sure. I'm sure you have guessed from my previous posting history that its no surprise to me. Well, that's not quite true, in that the extent of losses incurred on a large number of units is quite astounding and a good bit worse than I had calculated. However, I'm sure you can confirm that I am using the figures resulting from the benchmarking and its not something I did on the back of a postage stamp.

Cowabunga said:

Feed, bedding, energy and labour costs. Interest and fertiliser, water, fuel and sundries, all up. Its nice not to notice all this, although its hard to miss the fact that the Pound in your pocket is worth at least 15% less than it was.

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feed was forward bought. we use envirobed which has come down in price due to competition. Labour hasn't changed apart from nest contributions. loans are up by £50 a month in total. fert was forward bought, water is from a borehole. we have changed our parlour routine and reduced our sundries spend in there.
I am well aware of my costs I just choose not to give it away sorry.

lazy farmer said:

feed was forward bought. we use envirobed which has come down in price due to competition. Labour hasn't changed apart from nest contributions. loans are up by £50 a month in total. fert was forward bought, water is from a borehole. we have changed our parlour routine and reduced our sundries spend in there.
I am well aware of my costs I just choose not to give it away sorry.

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You are always perfect. We all know that you are 'always alright Jack'. Nevertheless you cannot deny the current market price for these things.

Cowabunga said:

You are always perfect. We all know that you are 'always alright Jack'. Nevertheless you cannot deny the current market price for these things.

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is it any wonder there is such a spread in production costs.

Bald Rick said:

12 month, wasnt it?

As I say, I doubt that all the returns were as accurate as others therefore, as they werent entered independently, the figures produced may lack rigor never mind veracity

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They produced figures in the returns to me covering the 12 months for which I provided figures and for the previous 12 months. Where they got the previous year from, I cannot tell.

Bossman how far away are you from a potential milk buyer? How many other dairy farms in your area? Others here suggested you start small but the reality is a processor isn't going to send an article Lorry over ten miles just to lift a piddle of milk. If no other dairy farmers in your area then the reality is a potential milk buyer will want a level milk supply year round and the ability to fill an artic tanker every other day! The logistics for a small herd just won't add up if your not in a dairy area. Are vets, robot/parlour tech guys in your area?

With regard to you having plenty of grain to feed, that might be true but what you really need is protein and that will still have to be bought in in most situations. There's is an awful lot of work involved in dairying, it just never stops. Personally I think you would be mad to venture into it.