We know that many dairy farmers are facing continued severe financial pressure from ongoing low prices. But what kind of support is out there for them?
This week the NFU and AHDB Dairy organised #decisions4dairy – bringing organisations from across the industry, those that work with or advise dairy farmers, sitting down together to discuss ways of supporting farmers in the challenging months ahead. And it was encouraging that we had representatives of banks, feed companies, consultants, vets, accountants, other farming unions and the farming charities together in one room.
Farmers need access to accurate and unbiased information and need to know where to go for this information. All the organisations represented at the meeting agreed that they have a role in signposting farmers to this information.
What was clearly established from the event is that there are three groups of dairy farmers; some have a clear business plan going forward and some have already decided to leave. The vast majority of dairy farmers are still hoping the market will improve in the short-term– but that isn’t going to happen. We need to help them plan to survive the next 12 months.
Another overriding theme that came through was the need to stress that change is essential in some cases but does not necessarily meaning exiting the dairy industry. There are alternatives available. But the longer farmers leave it to make a decision, then the fewer the options.
William Neville’s 12 key questions, shared at Agrihive’s meeting late last year, will form a good basis for all of us to start discussions with dairy farmers on their strategy to survive periods of low milk prices.
Source: NFUOnline