Holstein UK services help members bucks dairy down turn

TIGHTER margins as a result of falling milk prices are focusing British dairy producers’ minds on maximising the value of their herds, according to Holstein UK chief executive Richard Jones.

Speaking at the Balmoral Show, Northern Ireland, Mr Jones said that the year to April had seen Holstein UK and its subsidiary Cattle Information Services (CIS) achieve some of their best results to date, despite the adversity facing the dairy sector.

He said: “From a Holstein UK point of view, we have seen pedigree registrations increase by seven per cent in the past 12 months, with farmers clearly appreciating the benefits of pedigree registration.

“Farmers are looking to invest in the future of their businesses despite lower milk prices. Pedigree registration is a simple and effective way of providing added value and allows farmers to use a wide range of breeding tools available from Holstein UK to drive improvement in their herds.”

The increase in pedigree registrations is ahead of industry growth, with DairyCo reporting only a three per cent increase in dairy cow numbers in the same period.

Meanwhile, CIS has also bucked industry trends, with milk-testing increasing by 4.3 per cent over the past 12 months and health testing rising by more than 20 per cent.

Mr Jones said: “Both these increases demonstrate the willingness of dairy farmers to use services that deliver real value to their businesses. Understanding the production and health statuses of their cows is essential for modern dairy farmers looking to maximise production and hence profits.

“The past 12 months have been encouraging for Holstein UK and its subsidiary companies and, while the immediate situation in the dairy sector is tough, we believe the services offered by both Holstein UK and CIS can add significant value to dairy farm businesses going forward.”