The latest results from Kingshay’s dairy costed herds continue to show a slight 3% decrease in average milk prices for April 2020 compared to April 2019 (27.29ppl compared to 28.18ppl last year), however margins per cow were the same at £152 per cow. This was due to concentrate prices also decreasing again this month, £234 per tonne for April 2020 compared to £248 per tonne in April 2019. Overall this shows Coronavirus had little impact on margins for the majority of dairy producers (luckily) with only a minority of producers severely affected.
Milk yields were again similar in April 2020 at 28 l/cow/day. The graph highlights monthly changes to daily milk yields compared to the previous year. Each month saw an increase, compared to the same month in the previous year since January 2019, although as the graph shows, from September through to December milk yield showed very little change. January showed an increase in yields for the first time since September 2019 compared to the same month of the previous year. March 2020 is showing the biggest decrease in daily milk yields over the last 12 months, though April 2020 saw a more positive increase compared to April 2019.
Concentrate use was down by 4% at 7.9 kg per cow per day or 0.28kg/litre compared to April 2019. Milk from forage saw a 9% increase at 11 l/cow/day, as illustrated in the graph below.
The rolling margins (MOPF) for the year ending April 2020 averaged 20.47ppl or £1,741 per cow. These were similar to last year, due to a decrease in feed costs, although with slightly lower milk prices.
Other rolling trends for the year ending April 2020 include -
- Average herd size increased slightly by 0.5% with 203 cows in herd.
- Yields averaged 8,507 litres per cow, a 1% increase on last year.
- Milk from forage increased by 10.1% to 2,792 litres per cow.
- Cell counts remained low at 162 (‘000), a slight increase on 159 (‘000).
- Milk price decreased slightly at 28.54ppl, a slight decrease on 29.12ppl.
- Purchased feed costs of 8.08ppl were 4.7% lower than last year, with concentrate prices averaging £237/tonne compared to £242/tonne.
More in-depth analysis of herds using Kingshay’s costings service can be found in Kingshay’s Dairy Costings Focus Report or call 01458 851555 for more details.
Analyse your Profit Manager results for the year ending March 2020 now -
- Proportion costs to the Dairy Enterprise
- Analyse the true costs of production for your herd
If you are interested in analysing and comparing your herd’s figures with other similar herds, give us a call on 01458 851555. More details of this simple and easy-to-use service can be found HERE.