By Nigel Davies
The February 2018 Milkminder report illustrates that the matched sample of herds continued to improve output on all fronts. Average butterfat and protein percentages have continued to increase year-on-year to 4.05% and 3.29% respectively.
In the same period, average cow numbers increased by 2.4% to 209 cows, average yield by 2.86% to 8,244 litres per cow, and stocking rate by 0.07 cows per hectare, 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 has improved from 1.17 to 1.34 in that time.
Milkminder Comparison
| February 2017 | February 2018 | |
| Avg. 12-month rolling butterfat (%) | 4.04 | 4.05 |
| Avg. 12-month rolling protein (%) | 3.26 | 3.29 |
| Avg. 12-month rolling cows in the herd | 204.1 | 209 |
| Avg. 12-month rolling yield per cow (litres) | 8,014 | 8,244 |
| Avg. 12-month rolling stocking rate (cows/ha) | 2.39 | 2.46 |
| Rolling 12-month milk price to concentrate price ratio | 1.17 | 1.34 |
| Rolling 12-month avg calving % metric (per 100 cows) | 98.6 | 97.6 |
With the 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 twelve months, in the next twelve months, and sustaining the gains made so far.
About The Author
National Training Manager
07773 936 129
Nigel.Davies@genusplc.comAt times of disruptive change, understanding what motivates the owners of farming businesses as well as an in-depth appreciation of what affects their financial performance is a key driver of success. more
