DAIRY FARMERS will see a new approach from AHDB Dairy this autumn, as its focus falls upon two production systems that may he;p the industry through Brexit.

According to AHDB, leaving the European Union will offer UK milk producers opportunities to displace dairy imports or access new export markets – but it is also likely to expose their sector to more competition, less support and increased volatility.

“The industry needs to be in good shape to deal with future challenges and our new focus will enable farmers to compete in this rapidly changing world.” said chief strategy officer Tom Hind.

“Our sense is that those dairy farmers that have made a conscious choice about their production system tend to be more profitable. They know the key performance drivers and the numbers they need to hit to be sustainable.”

The two systems going under the microscope are:

• Block calving – all cows calve within a 12 week window (spring or autumn), get back in calf, peak in milk production and are dried off together;

• All-year-round calving – cows calve all year round with no seasonal emphasis, and no period where the entire herd is dry. Inputs may vary from extensive herds mainly grazing, to fully housed herds with very high yields.

AHDB aims to showcase and highlight what the best performers are doing under either system and identify the factors that are critical to performance. Strategic dairy farms will be recruited to demonstrate best practice and encourage farmer to farmer learning.

“We are asking farmers to understand their current system, judge their performance by holding a mirror up to their business and make a conscious, strategic choice about the system that is optimum for them,” said Mr Hind.

Evidence shows that block calving herds typically have lower overall costs of production. These systems are often simpler to operate and bring lifestyle benefits – but can be limited by farm buildings, location and contract.

Data also shows the best all-year-round producers can achieve competitive production costs and, managed well, can be as profitable as the best block calvers. This system usually delivers a higher output with a greater income but it can be complex to manage, making it harder to spot weaknesses in performance.

“The key point is the dairy industry needs to approach 2019 with open eyes and prepare. The last thing anyone wants is for the industry to sleep walk into Brexit,” he concluded.