Improved outputs on all fronts were just a few of the positive results from the February 2018 Promar Milkminder report based on figures from a matched sample of dairy farms.
Year on year results show that average butterfat and protein percentages increased to 4.05% and 3.29% respectively, with cow numbers rising by 2.4% to 209 cows, average yield by 2.86% to 8244 litres per cow, and stocking rate by 0.07 cows per hectare.
Commenting on the results, Nigel Davies, Promar’s national consultancy manager said: “This is really positive news for this group of producers, with the impact on margins aided by a backdrop of the rolling 12-month milk price to concentrate price ratio for the group having improved from 1.17 to 1.34 in that time.”
He added that with the prospects of milk price to concentrate price ratio weakening during 2018, one of the key factors in sustaining a similar level of improvement over the next 12 months, will be the continued success in herd reproductive performance.
“On that note, the February report for the average sample suggests that there might be a hint of deterioration in this area, as the calving percentage metric has fallen from 98.6, to 97.6 cows per 100 in the last 12 months.  
“For this reason, I’d recommend that producers and their consultants pay particular attention to herd reproductive performance as they use Milkminder to help them plan ahead for continued success next year. If they can master that, they’ll be one step closer to repeating the success of the last 12 months, in the next 12 months, and sustaining the gains made so far,” said Mr Davies.


February 2018 Milkminder matched sample of herds results

    Feb ‘17    Feb ‘18 
Average 12-month rolling butterfat (%)    4.04%    4.05%
Average 12-month rolling protein (%)    3.26%    3.29%
Average 12-month rolling cows in herd    204.1    209
Average 12-month rolling yield per cow (litres)    8014     8244  
Average 12-month rolling stocking rate (cow/ha)    2.39    2.46
Rolling 12-month milk price to concentrate price ratio    1.17    1.34
Rolling 12-month average calving % metric (per 100 cows)    98.6   97.6