Union warns of threat to milk market

The NFU in England yesterday warned milk processors that paying dairy farmers "too little too late" for milk could see production plummet as farmers face the driest summer for decades.

Farmers are struggling to maintain milk production following months of hot, dry weather.

Every effort is being made to keep milk flowing in the short term but there are fears that the added costs of dipping into winter feed supplies earlier than usual could lead to cut backs in the supply of milk later in the year.

NFU dairy board chairman Mansel Raymond said: "Forage stocks are starting to run seriously low with some farmers reporting a drop in first cut silage yields of 20-30 per cent and up to 50 per cent lower yields for their second cut."

The hot, dry summer has come on the back of the big winter freeze, and the late, wet spring, which led to the prolonged winter housing of cows and a depletion of feed stocks.

"The high temperatures and lack of grazing in many areas of England mean that, in order to keep cows comfortable and ensure they have enough to eat, some herds are being housed at a time when they would normally be outdoors, adding further pressure on feed supplies and raising costs," Raymond warned.