Dairy Farmer articles from September 2005

Dairy Farmer archives from September 2005

FFA: row brewing over where money has gone.
September 14, 2005... Despite extensive and seemingly effective protests across Scotland, FFA boss David Handley admits he is up against it in his battle to raise farmgate milk prices. Meetings with retailers have been described as positive and constructive,...

Freefall with no safety net.(Brief Article)
September 14, 2005... Wiseman's announcement of its latest 0.35ppl price cut is enough to make you cringe with despair, especially when it is done in the name of `an attempt to equalise prices and maintain a competitive position'. Which is exactly where we have...

ML boss takes sideswipe at critics in his farewell report.
September 14, 2005... After a year of almost constant rumour as to its fortunes (reported and commented on by contributors in DF on a regular basis) departing Milk Link chairman Jeremy Pope couldn't help take a sideswipe at the co-op's critics in his final annual...

MM voting off to good start.
September 14, 2005... By the time DF is published Milk Marque executives confidently expect to have crossed the 50% voting threshold that would give it a mandate to convert into a plc and invest former members' money in a new business. Currently the organisation has...

Fears that potential cheese import could scupper policy.
September 14, 2005... At the time of going to press, concerns were increasing that an unknown Irish dairy co-operative had tendered cheap cheese into Tesco, potentially derailing efforts to increase milk prices here. Farmers For Action was liaising with contacts in...

NFU looks at future of milk.
September 14, 2005... A new strategy document outlining the NFU's vision for the future of dairying has been issued. Compiled by the NFU's dairy sector Gwyn Jones, along with Tom Hind and Emma Rutter, the document discusses new ways of doing business in the dairy...

Cull cows set to miss out unless farm assured.
September 14, 2005... If you want to maximise the value of your cattle then make sure you get your cull cows farm assured, advises the major meat processors and NDFAS. Older cattle that are assured should return a significant premium over those that are not...

Cowman comment: What we can pick up from the Danes.
September 14, 2005... Fresh back from his Danish exploits our Yorkshire correspondent Tim Gibson is full of new ideas on how best to feed his herd on a more frequent basis without becoming glued to the tractor seat. Read on. I've just agreed to work with Leeds...

Cowman comment: We must learn to use TV to our advantage.
September 14, 2005... With a large public reaction to the latest TV programme on supermarkets and food production, our south-west correspondent Sally Leaney is convinced we should be doing far more to win hearts and minds and make sure our product is fully branded...

Cowman comment: No, no, not the red one dad.(Column)
September 14, 2005... That's the plaintive plea from the family as the calf buyer pays his regular visit to Paul Higgins' farm. But as well as coping with the holidaying schoolchildren, Paul has found this calving round has presented him with quite another surprise....

Interview: New model for selling milk - but will it work?(Mark Taylor )(Interview)
September 14, 2005... If there is one thing the dairy industry desperately needs right now and that is a radical overhaul of the way milk is sold. David Matthews talks to Dairy Crest's Mark Taylor about his new thinking on milk pricing in the UK. What is your...

Letter: Keenan on dry cows and straw.(Letter to the Editor)
September 14, 2005... From: Mark Voss, nutrition manager, Keenan RUMANS, UK. It is great to see such common ground in advice given on dry cow diets in recent weeks. At Keenan we both respect and endorse the views recently put forward by the Dairy Herd Health &...

Letter: Weight lifting gets licked.(Letter to the Editor)
September 14, 2005... From: Alastair Mitchell, Health, Education and Chemicals Section, Agriculture and Food Sector, HSE. Preventing work-related injuries, including musculoskeletal disorders such as back pain, is one of the priorities for the HSE. I am...

What keeps our prices screwed down to floor?
September 14, 2005... When world dairy markets are booming and prices are at levels not seen since the 1990s, why is it that UK prices are so poor? Whenever dairy farmers get together one issue now dominates conversation - the price of milk and why UK returns...

EC forecasts bright future.
September 14, 2005... The European Commission's latest market forecast up to 2012 paints a buoyant picture for the dairy industry. It says a big increase in cheese consumption, on the back of rising prosperity in the new EU member states, will offset pressure on...

WTO is turning out to be one way street!
September 14, 2005... EU trade commissioner Peter Mandelson has warned that without a greater drive the goal of a World Trade Organisation deal on agriculture this year may fail, and in a blunt statement he made it clear that he believed blame for the delay did not...

Germans faced with their biggest ever superlevy bill.(Brief Article)
September 14, 2005... German farmers are facing their biggest ever superlevy bill for the 2004/05 milk quota year. The bill will top 130m euros (#87m). This is a blow for German farmers who are protesting over poor milk prices due to supermarket margin pressure and...

Potter's View: SFP set to end up in someone else's hand.
September 14, 2005... Although deeply touched by the number of people seemingly willing to contribute to a `Save Potter' collection fund, the ever roaming eye is still as critical as ever especially when it comes to milk buyers' behaviour. And so another show...

DAIRY EVENT: Bigger and better.
September 14, 2005... What a bumper Dairy Event programme we have lined up for you this year... it's better than ever! First you can win a super heifer calf which could be calving down in your herd in a couple of years. With superb breeding in the pedigree this...

DAIRY EVENT - MILK: Is this right time to expand the business?(economic conditions of milk prices)
September 14, 2005... Many farmers' response to the present economic climate is to seriously consider expansion and despite the huge uncertainty surrounding milk prices, there are still some positives. Derek Gardner from Promar puts his case. Predictions would...

DAIRY EVENT - MILK: New regulations turn up pressure.
September 14, 2005... In January 2006 a new set of EU Dairy Hygiene Regulations will come into effect on all UK dairy farms. Alison Cox, technical manager with JohnsonDiversey, explains what the regulations will mean to farmers. What are the changes then and how...

DAIRY EVENT - MILK: How to raise yields while keeping costs fixed.
September 14, 2005... One common response to the present squeeze is to increase output to spread fixed costs over more litres. Consultant Alan Edwards of the Dairy Group tells us how the approach is working on one Cheshire farm. The success of the approach of...

DAIRY EVENT - BREEDING: Red carrier tops the chart for production.
September 14, 2005... Having attracted its fair share of criticism over the May proof run, MDC's Breeding+ service now seems to be back on track. Angela Rhodes reports. After the debacle of the May proof run things have gone smoothly this time round both for...

DAIRY EVENT - BREEDING: Duplex reigns supreme on type.(Brief Article)
September 14, 2005... American sire Mesland Duplex has held his place at the top of the type rankings in spite of dropping back half a point to +3.57 Type Merit. Following the base change in May there are now seven bulls available over +3.00 on overall Type Merit....

DAIRY EVENT - Forage & Grassland: Bring your cobs!(Brief Article)
September 14, 2005... Advanta will again be holding its forage clinic at its stand on both days of this year's Dairy Event. Farmers are invited to bring a good representative sample of around 10 cobs with them on the day from various points in the field, but not the...

Forage & Grassland: Maize yields look good with high starch values.(Brief Article)
September 14, 2005... Flowering dates are about 10 days ahead of normal indicating an overall earlier harvest date at record yields, predicts Lindsay Cousland from Advanta Seeds. "In some areas it could be as much as 20% more than normal yields," she says,...

Forage & Grassland: Lupicalage is the new forage crop.(supported by Biotal)(Brief Article)
September 14, 2005... Biotal will be supporting a new crop called Lupicalage at this year's Dairy Event. The bi-crop has already been grown and fed to dairy and beef cows in Northern Ireland last year, and following its success there will be the main theme for this...

Forage & Grassland: Accurate sampling of alkalage.(Brief Article)
September 14, 2005... Volac International will be launching a campaign to encourage alkalage growers to take up a sampling technique which will ensure they collect a represent-ative sample from the clamp for analysis, and subsequently achieve the most accurate...

Forage & Grassland: Know your weeds for target spray.(Brief Article)
September 14, 2005... The loss of the herbicide atrazine will mean dairy farmers will now have to identify more accurately their common weeds before spraying. "It's a big issue in the industry," says Neil Groome from Grainseed Ltd, who explains that farmers from...

Forage & Grassland: Clover to offset fertiliser prices.(Institute for Grassland and Environmental Research)(Brief Article)
September 14, 2005... IGER's theme this year will be Dairying and the Environment and will be stressing the increasing importance of red and white clover in reducing N fertiliser and concentrate use. It will also be promoting its new grass variety AberStar, which...

Forage & Grassland: Limit soil erosion if you want ELS points.
September 14, 2005... Maize growers can claim Entry Level Scheme points but they must be careful, warns the Maize Growers Association. According to the MGA there are two potential ways that maize growers can be awarded points under the ELS. Firstly, some fields...

Forage & Grassland: Higher yield from new variety blend.(Duo Max hybrid variety of corn developed by David Bright)(Brief Article)
September 14, 2005... Following the success of Duo, the special blend of two maize varieties, a new higher yielding combination, Duo Max, is to be launched at the Dairy Event by David Bright. The latest idea is based on work carried out in Belgium by Masadour...

Health & Nutrition: Feeding for early peaks hinders basic rumen action.
September 14, 2005... Conventional practice of feeding cows with as much protein and energy as they will eat post calving to ensure a high six week peak may be a costly mistake. Independent nutritionist Peter Allen tells us why. Once again cows on fresh grass...

Health & Nutrition: Flotation tank helps cows find their feet.
September 14, 2005... The latest addition to a Sussex-based cattle service is a water tank to help downer cows get back on their feet. With herds getting larger and skilled staff getting scarcer, Livestock Services is adding the water tank to broaden the range...

Health & Nutrition: Udder prizes to be won.(Brief Article)
September 14, 2005... A giant udder will be the feature on this year's Intervet stand and farmers will be invited to delve in to win prizes ranging from mastitis test kits to workshop tools. Advice will be on hand for those wanting to know more about Cephaguard...

Machinery: Kuhn Farm Machinery.(Brief Article)
September 14, 2005... If you are interested in a dual purpose forage feeding and straw- bedding machine, but put off by the size and price of some of the current trailed machines, then you might like to know that Kuhn Farm Machinery now offers a tractor-mounted...

Machinery: Teagle Machinery.(introducing Tomahawk)(Brief Article)
September 14, 2005... Dairy farmers looking for a bedding machine that offers a bit more flexibility and is also capable of feeding the odd bale of silage now and again are targeted with the latest Tomahawk machine from Teagle Machinery. Known as the Tomahawk...

Machinery: Broadwater Machinery.(introducing a new cubicle bedder)(Brief Article)
September 14, 2005... Reduced running costs, minimum moving parts and simple operation are a number of benefits claimed for Broadwater Machinery's new cubicle bedder. Furthermore in addition to spreading sawdust it is also capable of handling recycled paper! ...

Machinery: Bonhill Marketing.(marketing self-propelled mixer wagon )(Brief Article)
September 14, 2005... There is a good chance that Bonhill Marketing will show the world's first three-wheeled self-propelled mixer wagon at the Dairy Event! Known as the Siloking, a major feature is the two centrally positioned rear wheels which help to improve...

Machinery: Rustons Engineering.(manufactures different tractors)(Brief Article)
September 14, 2005... So far, the Kioti tractor name is linked purely with small tractors up to 51hp. Not anymore, as importer Rustons Engineering hopes to use the Dairy Event to reveal the prototype of a new top model - the 90hp DK901. What's more, two other models...

Machinery: Fullwood.(introduced Sensomatic milk monitoring system)(Brief Article)
September 14, 2005... As well as its latest Streamline Herringbone and Merlin robotic parlours, Fullwood will be demonstrating its brand new Sensomatic milk monitoring system for the first time at the event. Capable of controlling key functions such as automatic...

Machinery: Dairy Spares.(Ezi-action pump )(Brief Article)
September 14, 2005... Visitors are invited to the Dairy Spares stand to see just how safe, quick and `EZI' it is to dispense thick liquids such as oil with the launch of the new Ezi-action drum pump from New Zealand. The Ezi-action pump fits onto any chemical...

Machinery: Thomas and Fontaine.(introduced a new service to help farmers utilize waste tyres as construction material)(Brief Article)
September 14, 2005... Secure Block is a new on-farm service which has been developed by Shropshire based Thomas and Fontaine to help farmers turn redundant tyres in to environmentally friendly construction material. The service uses a mobile tyre baler that can...

Finance and IT: Keeping up with others.(Brief Article)
September 14, 2005... A technical benchmarking system is one of several software developments that will be showcased at this year's Dairy Event by NMR. The Key Performance Indicator System uses NMR technical data and monitors one herd against a group of others...

Finance and IT: Interest rates on the slide predicts banker.
September 14, 2005... Some producers are taking the plunge and others sitting tight when it comes to investing and developing their businesses, according to HSBC's head of agriculture Steve Ellwood. "I've spoken to our managers across the UK and their comments...

Finance and IT: Don't get tied up in red tape knots.(Promar International launching a new service for farmers)(Brief Article)
September 14, 2005... An administration support service which promises to release farmers from the burden of bureaucratic form-filling and give them more time to run their businesses will be launched at this year's Dairy Event by Promar International. "Farmers...

Finance and IT: Mastitis software will keep records straight.(Brief Article)
September 14, 2005... Herd health analysis reports, which will address the national dairy herd health planning requirements with particular reference to mastitis and lameness treatments, have been added to Sum-It Computer Systems' Total Dairy software. This...

US Dairying: Going Dutch in the US.
September 14, 2005... Limited opportunities for expansion are forcing many Dutch producers to either quit the industry or to consider emigration. Angela Rhodes finds out more about a company which is helping them and other European dairy producers to relocate to the...

Dairy Crest is warning others must fall into line on cheese.(Brief Article)
September 14, 2005... Milk price analyst Stephen Bradley comments on the latest milk industry developments. The UK's No 1 cheese manufacturer, Dairy Crest, is leading the milk price increases from the recent retail initiative on cheese. Following the 0.3ppl...

Belton expands production.
September 14, 2005... Belton Cheese, Shropshire, says it hopes to have work on the new extension facilities completed and operational by the end of this month. A new milk reception area with an additional milk silo, cheese vat, curd table and an extended...

Longslow makes another price cut.(Brief Article)
September 14, 2005... Following the prices cuts of the major liquid milk processors over the last three months, smaller operators are falling into line. Having already cut 0.525ppl from Jul'05, Longslow Dairies has cut again from Aug'05, this time by 0.475ppl....

Somerset cheesemakers increase price.(AJ and RG Barber )(Brief Article)
September 14, 2005... Both major Somerset farmhouse cheese manufacturers have confirmed price increases resulting from the cheese initiative. AJ & RG Barber is to increase its milk price to producers by 0.5ppl from Aug'05, taking our standard price up to...

First Milk strikes a balance.(Brief Article)
September 14, 2005... Still juggling milk price cuts from the liquid market with increases now filtering through from retail price increases on cheese, First Milk has confirmed that it is to hold its milk price for Aug'05. The only major milk buyer not to have...

DEFRA price on par with last year.(Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)(Brief Article)
September 14, 2005... The provisional DEFRA average UK farm gate milk price (including retrospective bonuses) for Jun'05 of 17.30ppl is identical to June last year and the highest price since Jun'01 when the average price was 18.70ppl. The May'05 average of 17.17ppl...

Milk Prices: With an eye on top prize.
September 14, 2005... Milk Link claims around 60% of its membership, representing 60% of the annual volume, has responded to the request of supplying milk production forecasts for 2005/06. The company says the accuracy of the information supplied has been...

Milk Prices: Westbury cuts 0.13p.(Brief Article)
September 14, 2005... Westbury Dairies has cut its price by 0.14ppl for Jul'05 supplies. New constituent payment values of 1.845p per % butterfat and 3.038p per % protein takes our price down 0.13ppl to 17.89ppl. Copyright: CMP Information Ltd.

Milk Prices: Market related adjustment.(Brief Article)
September 14, 2005... Milk Link has confirmed that it has increased its monthly `Market Related Adjustment' by 0.1ppl from Jul'05 to a flat +0.85ppl. This increase takes our standard price up to 17.77ppl before any applicable Jul'05 `B' litres priced at 105% of `A'...

Milk Prices: Correction.(Correction Notice)
September 14, 2005... Last month we reported that Grahams Dairies was increasing its Jun'05 price by 0.5ppl from Jun'05 to 20.9ppl. Unfortunately, after these pages had gone to press the company changed its decision to hold the price at 20.4ppl. We also reported...

Milk Prices: United's auction price down.(Brief Article)
September 14, 2005... United Dairy Farmers' August milk auction sold 33mltrs (contracts starting Sept 1) for an average price of 21.53ppl, 0.74ppl down on Aug'04 (31mltrs averaged 22.27ppl) but 0.52ppl up on last month's average of 21.01ppl. Of the total volume,...

Good Evans: Sparks start to fly even without any electricity.
September 14, 2005... The local electricity supplier is not flavour of the month in the Evans household just now as the spanking new parlour sits majestic, yet motionless, in the yard. Read on+ "I don't believe it." This was the plaintive cry of the ultimate...

Interview: So just where has the retail initiative money gone?
September 28, 2005... When it comes to producer support, NFU Scotland is well and truly in there and is adamant little of the so-called retail initiative money has found its way back to producers but, like many others, has strong suspicions where it might have gone....

COWMAN COMMENT: Keeping the faith in Cumbria.
September 28, 2005... Despite running a 200 spring-calving herd, Robert Craig doesn't regret keeping the 40 cows that pushed hard on the block calving boundary as they are now pumping out a valuable drop of milk. Nevertheless his group colleagues were beginning to...

Cowmen comment: How Danish Jerseys just seemed to fit the bill.
September 28, 2005... Ian Macalpine farms 210 acres near Clitheroe just outside the Forest of Bowland. After losing his herd of Holsteins during the foot-and-mouth crisis he restocked with 200 Jerseys establishing the Ribblesdale Jersey herd, and such has been...

FEEDING: Will fat supplements pay with your milk contract?
September 28, 2005... Fats and oils are used extensively in current cow diets for a variety of reasons but predominantly to boost butterfats and to help cows through that post-calving energy gap. Promar's Derek Gardner explains how they can be used and explores if...

FEEDING: Are you really getting maximum DM intake?(Dry matter )
September 28, 2005... Many producers firmly believe their high yielding cows are eating as much as they can without incurring wastage or digestive upsets. But are they? KW Alternative Feeds nutritionist Ian Pickles challenges you to achieve more. Improvement in...

MILKING: How automatic dipping may help bring mastitis in check.
September 28, 2005... The Dairy Event saw the launch of a new automated teat dipping and liner disinfection system which claims to be able to reduce mastitis and improve teat condition. Dairy Farmer finds out more from James Duke of Research Development and...

Good Evans: Why bactoscans were almost my undoing.
September 28, 2005... In a scene that could be straight from `The Office', Roger Evans takes his team to task with a lecture on hygiene. But shouldn't he check his facts first... Well we finally got to milk in the new parlour but because the whole project had...