RABDF 2003 dairy event survey results shown
Forty one percent of dairy farmers questioned in an independent survey last month have started diversification enterprises on and off farm - and of that percentage, 72% are planning further diversification.
The survey, carried out for the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers by farm consultants Promar International, was conducted at the two day Dairy Event at Stoneleigh Park in September. Average age of the milk producers interviewed was 42, with 76% of the 508 interviewees questioned being under 50 years of age. There was an even geographic spread of survey respondents from around the country and all the main milk production areas were represented.
"We value the opinions of this sample group as they are representative of the pro-active decision makers who are very likely to be involved with dairy farming for at least the next ten years," said Nick Everington, RABDF chief executive. "We see diversification as a sensible precaution in these turbulent times in the milk industry. It is encouraging to note how many of the enterprises started have given producers sufficient incentive to increase their diversification. There was a fairly even split between enterprises which add value and those related to the environment."
The survey also revealed that there is still a hardcore of dairy farmers determined not to diversify - of the 59% of producers who have not yet tried any form of diversification just 5% plan to do so. As well as diversification the survey also covered financial matters, breeding policies, reaction to the Mid Term Review and several other important issues facing dairy farmers today.
"It is interesting to note that most of the sample questioned are still breeding for type and yield rather than for constituents. Also, a flat calving pattern is the current situation for 75% of the sample. When questioned about future calving patterns, 32% said they wanted to change and of those 58% want to move to all year round calving. This would seem to indicate that most producers are hedging their bets on what will happen to milk prices and no longer take any heed of the Spring flush."
On the subject of threats to the industry off the farm, supermarkets and the UK government were seen by the majority as the key offenders, but there was a clear response from a significant number of younger interviewees which showed that world competition was their greatest concern. The worst on farm threats were seen as red tape, paperwork and shortage of skilled labour.
Another important response from the survey was that 47% of interviewees did not know if the Mid Term Review would provide opportunities for their businesses. Nick Everington confirms that it is likely that RABDF will take up this information challenge at their annual dairy farming conference in March 2004.
