GB Milk Deliveries Hit Seven-Year Low as 2023/24 Season
Source: The DairyNews
In March 2024, estimated milk deliveries in Great Britain (GB) closed the season at a seven-year low, signaling challenges for dairy farmers.
The latest data reveals that GB milk deliveries in March reached approximately 1,086 million litres, marking a mere 0.1% decline of 0.95 million litres compared to the same period last year. Daily averages stood at 35.03 million litres, reflecting a stable yet concerning trend.
For the entire 2023/24 season, total deliveries amounted to an estimated 12.35 billion litres, with daily averages hovering around 33.75 million litres. It's worth noting that the inclusion of an extra day in February, owing to 2024 being a leap year, slightly elevated the overall figure. Adjusted for a standard 365-day comparison, the total volume dipped to 12.32 billion litres, indicating a 0.5% decline (equivalent to 63.60 million litres) compared to the previous year. This marks the lowest volume recorded since the 2016/17 season, underscoring challenges within the industry.
Analysts attribute the production downturn to reduced yields per cow, influenced by lower milk prices in 2023 juxtaposed with elevated input costs. These factors collectively dampened producer incentives to bolster production, resulting in a noticeable decrease in milk yield.
Looking ahead, concerns loom over the impact of persistent wet weather on dairy farming operations and subsequent milk production. The saturated ground conditions are expected to delay cow turnout onto pastures, potentially hampering groundwork activities and affecting grass and silage quality for the upcoming season. As a result, the latest forecasts predict a marginal decline in GB milk production for the forthcoming 2024/25 season.
The insights gleaned from recent discussions at milk forecasting forums suggest a challenging road ahead for dairy farmers, necessitating strategic adaptations to navigate through uncertain terrain.
Based on AHDB materials
For the entire 2023/24 season, total deliveries amounted to an estimated 12.35 billion litres, with daily averages hovering around 33.75 million litres. It's worth noting that the inclusion of an extra day in February, owing to 2024 being a leap year, slightly elevated the overall figure. Adjusted for a standard 365-day comparison, the total volume dipped to 12.32 billion litres, indicating a 0.5% decline (equivalent to 63.60 million litres) compared to the previous year. This marks the lowest volume recorded since the 2016/17 season, underscoring challenges within the industry.
Analysts attribute the production downturn to reduced yields per cow, influenced by lower milk prices in 2023 juxtaposed with elevated input costs. These factors collectively dampened producer incentives to bolster production, resulting in a noticeable decrease in milk yield.
Looking ahead, concerns loom over the impact of persistent wet weather on dairy farming operations and subsequent milk production. The saturated ground conditions are expected to delay cow turnout onto pastures, potentially hampering groundwork activities and affecting grass and silage quality for the upcoming season. As a result, the latest forecasts predict a marginal decline in GB milk production for the forthcoming 2024/25 season.
The insights gleaned from recent discussions at milk forecasting forums suggest a challenging road ahead for dairy farmers, necessitating strategic adaptations to navigate through uncertain terrain.
Based on AHDB materials
