COAG: A Pillar in the Spanish Dairy Sector

COAG is a prominent agricultural organization deeply involved in the Spanish dairy industry. As a key player in this sector, it is dedicated to addressing the challenges faced by dairy farmers and advocating for sustainable practices and policies.

Important Events

COAG has recently reported the closure of 530 dairy farms in Spain, a significant event highlighting the challenges within the sector. This closure trend has raised alarms about the sustainability and future of family-run dairy farms in the country.

Additionally, COAG reported that forage-maize harvests in both Galicia and Asturias have fallen by more than 60%. Replacing the lost crops can cost up to €2,500 per hectare, based on estimates cited by the farming organization. COAG also noted that the price of compound feed had risen by as much as 32% in two months, with farms paying more for inputs such as fuel and fertilizers.

Company Plans

In response to these challenges, COAG is calling for the development of a Strategic Plan aimed at ensuring the profitability of dairy farms and facilitating generational transition. This plan is crucial to counter the ongoing trend towards the 'uberization' of the dairy sector, where large corporations increasingly dominate the market, potentially marginalizing traditional farming operations.

COAG is also addressing the issue of heat stress, which it says can reduce individual cows’ milk production by as much as 30%.