New Dairy in Norfolk

[William groom]

Hi there, I am hoping for some advice.

I am a young farmer attempting to set up my own dairy joint venture in Norfolk and have come up against a slightly large hurdle. We have absolutely everything in place ready to go apart from the milk contract. We knew this was always going to be the biggest challenge, however we had a provisional milk swap contract with County Milk and Arla, who took over 3 weeks to show their interest. From there we were waiting Arla and haulage, they took a further 3 weeks to tell us that Arla wouldn't swap with county milk. Since Arla dominate the market and they aren’t taking on any new contracts, we now don’t know where to go. As a young couple trying to make a go for it in the dairy industry we are just looking for an opportunity to enable us to do so. Any advice, ideas or options would be greatly appreciated.

kind regards

William

 

[vantage]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you should have secured a contract BEFORE you did anything.

 

[William groom]

At current there are no animals on farm and the contract agreement is set up but not signed, it all ways on getting the milk contract, so rather everything is in place to push the button without the risk. Im looking for any advice on contract.

 

[applejack]

Sorry to be negative also but I think you might struggle, Norfolk isn't a great milk field anymore for contracts and haulage is a further issue. Wish you all the best though.

 

[More to life]

You might have more luck in July August I can’t see it happening currently.

 

[sjt01]

Do you have any engineering or programming skills? If so we are offering a joint venture on our dairy in North Norfolk. We need someone to run the digester as well as the dairy and arable, and it is the digester engineering that is the critical part

 

[Beef farmer]

Find a 60 cow arla farmer who wants out. Buy the cows and contract

 

[vantage]

Find a 60 cow arla farmer who wants out. Buy the cows and contract

Probably not the best day to find one!

 

[JP1]

Do you have any engineering or programming skills? If so we are offering a joint venture on our dairy in North Norfolk. We need someone to run the digester as well as the dairy and arable, and it is the digester engineering that is the critical part

@William groom take heed here. Get in a car and go see @sjt01 if only to expand your mind......

On the milk front you'll be up against it because of the lack of haulage / other farmers now

It's no coincidence that a few in Norfolk are now direct retailing

 

[William groom]

Do you have any engineering or programming skills? If so we are offering a joint venture on our dairy in North Norfolk. We need someone to run the digester as well as the dairy and arable, and it is the digester engineering that is the critical part

My Background is in dairy consultancy/farm management consultancy, however i am involved in Ag tech start up programming an ear tag based flock monitoring system

 

[pappuller]

My Background is in dairy consultancy/farm management consultancy, however i am involved in Ag tech start up programming an ear tag based flock monitoring system

Can the setup be mothballed to a later date ? Or does your investment rely on income asap ? When we're you anticipating supplying milk to a buyer ? Do you have stock on farm ?

 

[William groom]

Can the setup be mothballed to a later date ? Or does your investment rely on income asap ? When we're you anticipating supplying milk to a buyer ? Do you have stock on farm ?

the original plan was a May start date to supply county milk. buying In 230 spring calving cows from Scotland (tb4) to join 80 existing Holsteins that are on farm and in milk, that is currently being used to feed calves, surplus is dumped. The agreement is a profit share with the farm owner. The investment will only be made when we have a milk buyer contract.

 

[Ducati899]

How many calves you feeding with 80 cows?!? I assume there was a milk contract in place at some point in the past?

 

[William groom]

How many calves you feeding with 80 cows?!? I assume there was a milk contract in place at some point in the past?

Not many. There used to be a contract with Arla in 2015 the owner sold shares and now has nowhere to send his milk from his remaining 80 cows.

 

[pappuller]

the original plan was a May start date to supply county milk. buying In 230 spring calving cows from Scotland (tb4) to join 80 existing Holsteins that are on farm and in milk, that is currently being used to feed calves, surplus is dumped. The agreement is a profit share with the farm owner. The investment will only be made when we have a milk buyer contract.

So your plan is to produce milk at a time of year when a majority of milk buyers don't want it and from a geographical point that very few are prepared to travel to collect ?
I am a little concerned

 

[William groom]

So your plan is to produce milk at a time of year when a majority of milk buyers don't want it and from a geographical point that very few are prepared to travel to collect ?
I am a little concerned

the forward plan is to slip into an autumn block herd in year 2 (pairing up with the already 80 autumn calved cows and system in place), but given what cattle are available for sale with TB4 status has limited our choices. i agree geographically not the best place for milk buyers as im finding out.

 

[Suffolk Serf]

If you're who I think you are, you're bound to fall in sh!t and end up smelling of roses like your brothers!
He's from a family of very industrious, entrepreneurial young farmers if anyone is interested and able to help.

 

[endeavour]

@pappuller whilst having concerns for the young man involved I am more concerned for the industry as a whole which has to date failed to recognise the growing problems encountered by the continual erosion in active buyer numbers in many areas thought to be remote. There are no quick fixes in sight for this situation which can only deteriorate as we see processing passing into fewer hands and brokerage buyers becoming increasingly under pressure to consolidate milk fields.The apparently predatory approach of some buyers upon farmers who find themselves` in similar situations` is distasteful to most.These situations serve to warn producers of caution when considering moving farms or milk buyers.
The future of farming is today not very rosy the proposal to cease badger culling could well be ill conceived and have consequences carried by farmers substantialy not politicians. I can remember the fight to get herds attested for tb in the 50sand 60s . when will people realise the presence of btb is a danger to themselves..

 

[pappuller]

@pappuller whilst having concerns for the young man involved I am more concerned for the industry as a whole which has to date failed to recognise the growing problems encountered by the continual erosion in active buyer numbers in many areas thought to be remote. There are no quick fixes in sight for this situation which can only deteriorate as we see processing passing into fewer hands and brokerage buyers becoming increasingly under pressure to consolidate milk fields.The apparently predatory approach of some buyers upon farmers who find themselves` in similar situations` is distasteful to most.These situations serve to warn producers of caution when considering moving farms or milk buyers.
The future of farming is today not very rosy the proposal to cease badger culling could well be ill conceived and have consequences carried by farmers substantialy not politicians. I can remember the fight to get herds attested for tb in the 50sand 60s . when will people realise the presence of btb is a danger to themselves..

100% agree with your musings, as an industry we are going to face further hurdles both financial and legislative and if rumours are to be believed what's coming down the track post Brexit is not going to leave a sweet taste. Licence to farm been one potential hurdle slurry management and handling been another.
Milk buyers will dictate where the product is produced, meadow foods releasing a number of smaller/outlying producers is one example as is Muller's termination notices on some of their Scottish producers.

 

[betweenthelines]

Best bet would be to find a small local (ish) processor/wholesaler/retailer.

Or buy a pasteuriser & bottling line! Sell bottled milk to farm shops etc. -market as low carbon footprint, low food miles.