Weather set fair – just as milk markets get the jitters

What a fantastic spell we’ve had over the past couple of weeks – and everything crossed it’s here for a while to come. The grass is growing, in fact there has been some first cut silage done, spring crops are through the ground and cattle are finally getting to the grass. What a fantastic sight!

The weather will be particularly welcome to those whose shortage of fodder and little or no grass growth had almost reached crisis point, especially after having to keep cows inside for three or four weeks longer than usual.

Fodder and bedding prices were also sky high, with straw reaching an eye-watering £250 a tonne and silage bales up to £35 each. I understand the Scottish Government turned a blind eye to the situation – no surprise there then!

The warm weather has also helped with a great start to the show season which is now well and truly underway. We had a great day at Ayr Show, last weekend, where the sunshine brought out visitors, from town and country, in their droves.

It was fantastic to see so many friends there and what’s more they were all smiling. The Holstein classes were ably judged by the 'wee man' himself, Brian Davidson. Huge congratulations to Robbie and Margo Scott on winning the Holstein championship with Clauchlands Outbound Blackbird.

Of course, not forgetting Billy and Sheila – as Billy is always on hand to help Robbie and offer encouragement and advice to his grandsons, Rory and Kyle. He informed me that his 'wages' come in the form of a steak pie, delivered on a Saturday morning! I think after this he’s due more than some pastry and a pun o’ steak.

The reserve honours went to Ve-Tech Holsteins' Goldfish Kim. There were also celebrations for the Kennedy family, from Perryston, with Clydeview Mogul Barbie winning the heifer championship and being picked out as honourable mention.

The inter-breed was judged by another 'wee man', Hughie Kennedy, fondly know as Papa Shug. It was the Scotts once again who dominated the leader board, with Mungo Bryson in reserve. Said Papa Shug was later seen enjoying a small beverage in the members' tent with a jubilant Billy Scott.

I can’t be 100% sure but that duo would normally be a trio, had George Borland not been ushered home for the milking. He was keen to join in the festivities, but Jean had other ideas. Neither Hugh or Billy appeared in any hurry home!

Fife Show takes places at Cupar, this weekend, with the weather looking favourable for the judge, David Brewster, from Boclair. Central and West Fife Show is a fortnight later, on June 2 and so a bit of free advertising – I’m the entries secretary – and am plugging for entries! The dairy section is to be appraised by none other than Mr Steak Pie, Billy Scott.

I bet dairy farmers in Kintyre and Arran don’t think the sun is shining on them, though. Instead, there’s a huge black cloud – full of uncertainty – hanging over them with the announcement that First Milk is to close its creameries on Arran and Kintyre.

Not only have producers there endured an extended period of low prices over the last two years, now the rug has really been pulled from under their feet following being told their very lifeline has an uncertain future.

These producers stuck with First Milk through thick and thin – quite a lot of 'thin' actually – and now they are being abandoned. NFU Scotland's milk committee chairman, John Smith, who supplies the Campbeltown Creamery, said producers are shell-shocked at the announcement. But the most important thing to keep in mind is that, in Mull of Kintyre and Arran Cheddar, both creameries are making world-famous, award-winning high-quality cheese, making both sites hugely attractive to potential buyers.

I sincerely hope this is the case and these local, family farms, which have invested in building and promoting their brand locally and nationally, can look forward to a viable future in attracting potential buyers into the area.

Let's hope the NFUS shows its worth and works with everyone involved to avoid any closure. If that happened, it really would be a devastating outcome.

Staying on the subject of milk buyers, should we be worried about one of the biggest shake-ups in retail history as Sainsburys announced it wanted to merge with Asda. Our milk is currently sold to Sainsburys, so what impact will this have on us and all of the other farmers similarly affected?

If the relevant authorities give the go ahead – which could take up to a year to decide – these tow supermarket giants will control 30% of the market. That's a worrying fact on its own.

Both will be pushing for better deals, which can only make everybody nervous. Does that mean suppliers will be cherry picked?

I think suppliers selling to both Asda and Sainsbury's are likely to come under pressure, with both wanting equal success when they merge, but not an increase in volume. If anybody actually thinks this is going to be good for processors and suppliers, then they are living in Cloud Cuckoo land.

Competition is already healthy. The price can only be driven down and no points for guessing who the fall guy will be?

It has certainly send a shiver down my spine.

Staying on the subject, recent media reports had suggested that some buyers cannot be trusted to deliver fair contract terms and have left the industry with no choice but to call for the regulation of dairy contracts. The NFU said that while it had originally supported the voluntary code of practice and some buyers had ‘made great strides’ towards fairer contracts, there was still bad practice from others.

This means dairy farmers have shouldered the burden of risk in the dairy market for a long time. They are making huge investments and are operating multi-million-pound businesses. Why invest all your hard-earned cash, only to find out the very person you’re selling you milk to can’t be trusted.

Is it time to see the reprisal of something like the milk marketing boards? This would not only to control the price, but to stop bad practice.

I agree with NFU dairy board chairman, Michael Oakes, who has called on buyers to look to the future, operate 'proper commercial businesses’ and deal with farmers fairly.

After all, it’s people’s livelihoods we’re dealing with here!