Last week the eyes of the UK’s dairy industry were focused on the Bath and West Showground where the 2013 Dairy Show was held on 2nd October. This year the show was sponsored by Micron Bio Systems and Pearce Seeds Ltd whose support was much appreciated by all because it turned out to be yet another excellent event.
I have been attending the Dairy Show for over 20 years and I have to say it has become a highlight in my calendar because it consistently attracts high quality livestock entries and visitors from across the country who, this year were able to view over 310 trade exhibitors displaying all manner of products and services.
This year the show attracted over 6,600 visitors and because the vast majority of these are either committed dairy farmers or people closely involved in the industry, it also attracts a wide variety of quality exhibitors all keen to be involved in the long term future of the dairy industry.
I suppose the most significant feature I noticed this year was the number of dairy farmers who are now seriously considering installing robotic milking machines. Lely, one of the robotic milking machine manufacturers certainly had a significant presence at the show.
Having discussed this with a number of farmers who came to our stand it seems that for smaller family farms in particular the use of robotic milking machines is a real prospect. It saves the cost of expensive labour and frees up time for the farmer to do other things rather than standing in the milking parlour for 6 hours or more a day.
The same does not necessarily seem to be the case for larger units where the farmer/owner is probably not physically milking the cows himself anyway, but what is clear is that technology in the dairy industry is becoming ever more important and those who do not embrace it in one form or another are likely to struggle in the long term. As with all industries one cannot let one’s business stand still for a moment but the problem facing many is that investment costs money and it seems for some that the profits are not there to allow for this.
This was highlighted by a press release from Old Mill Accountants whose head office is in Wells. They explained that figures from their client base showed that the average dairy farmer lost over 1p/litre last year. However, what I think is very telling is that their best dairy clients were producing milk for an incredible 12.65p/litre less than the worst. Herein lies a tale in that it seems to me some farmers have been able to control costs and it is the close control of costs, not just the headline milk price which defines the difference between success and failure in the dairy industry.
But what attracts many to the event is simply to see the best livestock on show and this year saw the closest ever competition with a Holstein and Ayrshire cow being tied equal for the coveted Supreme Champion. They were finally separated by bringing in an additional judge who awarded the title to the nine year old Ayrshire Sandyford Fable, owned by ED Tomlinson & Son of Loughborough and Reserve Champion went to the Holstein Moorshard Lennon Rosa, owned by RK & FG Miller & Sons of Bridgwater.
So all in all it was another excellent day for all who attended and Show Manager Alan Lyons said "It was a great show, with large volumes of visitors flowing through the gate. The quality and increase of both the trade stands and the cattle were extremely high which bodes well for the future of this popular show in the agricultural year."
I have been attending the Dairy Show for over 20 years and I have to say it has become a highlight in my calendar because it consistently attracts high quality livestock entries and visitors from across the country who, this year were able to view over 310 trade exhibitors displaying all manner of products and services.
This year the show attracted over 6,600 visitors and because the vast majority of these are either committed dairy farmers or people closely involved in the industry, it also attracts a wide variety of quality exhibitors all keen to be involved in the long term future of the dairy industry.
I suppose the most significant feature I noticed this year was the number of dairy farmers who are now seriously considering installing robotic milking machines. Lely, one of the robotic milking machine manufacturers certainly had a significant presence at the show.
Having discussed this with a number of farmers who came to our stand it seems that for smaller family farms in particular the use of robotic milking machines is a real prospect. It saves the cost of expensive labour and frees up time for the farmer to do other things rather than standing in the milking parlour for 6 hours or more a day.
The same does not necessarily seem to be the case for larger units where the farmer/owner is probably not physically milking the cows himself anyway, but what is clear is that technology in the dairy industry is becoming ever more important and those who do not embrace it in one form or another are likely to struggle in the long term. As with all industries one cannot let one’s business stand still for a moment but the problem facing many is that investment costs money and it seems for some that the profits are not there to allow for this.
This was highlighted by a press release from Old Mill Accountants whose head office is in Wells. They explained that figures from their client base showed that the average dairy farmer lost over 1p/litre last year. However, what I think is very telling is that their best dairy clients were producing milk for an incredible 12.65p/litre less than the worst. Herein lies a tale in that it seems to me some farmers have been able to control costs and it is the close control of costs, not just the headline milk price which defines the difference between success and failure in the dairy industry.
But what attracts many to the event is simply to see the best livestock on show and this year saw the closest ever competition with a Holstein and Ayrshire cow being tied equal for the coveted Supreme Champion. They were finally separated by bringing in an additional judge who awarded the title to the nine year old Ayrshire Sandyford Fable, owned by ED Tomlinson & Son of Loughborough and Reserve Champion went to the Holstein Moorshard Lennon Rosa, owned by RK & FG Miller & Sons of Bridgwater.
So all in all it was another excellent day for all who attended and Show Manager Alan Lyons said "It was a great show, with large volumes of visitors flowing through the gate. The quality and increase of both the trade stands and the cattle were extremely high which bodes well for the future of this popular show in the agricultural year."
James Stephen MRICS FAAV
Partner
Rural Practice Chartered Surveyor, Wells
T: 01749 683381
E: james.stephen@carterjonas.co.uk
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