Through the membership team and your local representatives, I am fully aware of the rapid increase in on-farm costs this year and the impact that this is having on your finances.
Over the last few months, we have been talking to our customers about the need to create long-term confidence in dairy farming. While some in the industry still point to the milk price increases of last year, it is apparent even to a casual observer that these have been more than swallowed up by hikes in prices of staples like feed, fertiliser and power.
We have highlighted to our customers the risk that there will be a shortage of milk in the autumn and winter, as a knock-on impact of the current level of farmgate prices vs. input costs. Of course, we all know that this is purely a demand and supply issue. If producers receive a sustainable price, getting the required supply of milk will not be a problem.
We are being resolute in our commitment to securing the levels of price increases from our customers to allow us to pay you a sustainable price for your milk. The challenge may be great, but we will not shy away from the task in hand.