Milk prices

[billmoseley]

As some of you may have seen or read in the last few days farmers are angry at the way the amount that they get per litre of milk has been cut yet again. Before some of you start on that farmers are all rich i can assure they aren't. Dairy farming paid a huge part in my life for many years and i watch the decline of the dairy industry. Here si an example of how hard the cuts were for us. we were an organic farmer so we got more for our milk in 1995 we received 36p per litre which was very good and we did manage to make a profit from that but not a huge one. By the end of 1997 we were receiving 17per litre and making huge loses. If we aren't careful we will loose more and more dairy farms which surely can't be good for Scotland or Britain. The biggest reason for such low price is yes you guessed it supermarkets they almost dictate the price. Would you orgers be prepared to pay more for your milk? Or are you prepared to watch the farming industry die?


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-18822750

[Bobinovich]

In a word, yes. There are certain staple foodstuffs which I feel should not be subject to profiteering by one part of the supply chain to the detriment of another. That might mean having minimum 'liveable' prices for all stages concerned set by an industry body etc. but certainly milk is one of those products I wouldn't quibble paying higher for.

[Alrock]

If you can't make a profit from milk then maybe you should think about farming some other produce....
If enough farmers did that then there would soon be a milk shortage & the dairy farmers remaining would seize price control back.

[ducati]

Yes, supply and demand. The most powerful market forces whether you like it or not.

[golach]

If you can't make a profit from milk then maybe you should think about farming some other produce....
If enough farmers did that then there would soon be a milk shortage & the dairy farmers remaining would cease price control back.
What are the Dairy Farmers that decide to go along with your idea do with their livestock? And what type of farming would you suggest they turn to? What would they live on, until their farms became profitable again? I take it that you mean that the rest of the Dairy Farmers left would seize control back. Aye Right, how can they fight the big supermarkets like Asda ( who were originally Associated Dairys )

[Croftergirl]

Unfortunately ducati and alrock there is somewhere else to get cheaper milk...the continent. Where strict health rules are not adhered to. So your daily pint would not be as safe as it is comin from the uk, and I'm sure there's no need to point this oot, it would be nowhere near as fresh!!Also turn in to other farming is not possible, dairy farmers have milkin parlours, sheds, slurry stores, etc etc etc all geared up for dairy farming. The cost to change or adapt these to any other form o farming would be horrendous. The p/litre the farmers receive has been dropping n dropping year on year for a long time now. If it was any other industry who had this happening there would be public outcry, yet as it's farmers nothin much is said until it's too late for many dairy farms.And yes, I would be more than happy to pay more for ma daily pint.

[ducati]

While I have every sympathy... there are plenty of industrys that have had to adapt to similar pressures. The cost of a silicon wafer 20 years ago was about £90. 10 years ago it was 90 pence. I don't know what it is now, but just an example. I don't recall any public outcry.

[Moira]

As some of you may have seen or read in the last few days farmers are angry at the way the amount that they get per litre of milk has been cut yet again.

<snip>

Or are you prepared to watch the farming industry die?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-18822750

I still receive a thrice weekly delivery of milk to my doorstep and would be prepared to pay more for the privilege.

It saddened me when our neighbouring, dairy farmer gave up the struggle. :(

[newweecroft]

Milk is such a wonderful food, and like many other disrespected edible commodities I would be more than happy to pay what I would consider a fair price for organic milk from a farm with excellent welfare. but that's just it, if I paid £3 a pint would that get to the farmer? No, because no one sells local milk! You can buy local meat from crofters and local fish from the fishmonger but there is no one to buy milk off. Is there?

[Croftergirl]

I'm assuming that a silicon wafer is used in computing? The cost of production of computers has also fallen dramatically in the last 20years so the end cost of computers can therefore afford to fall. Unfortunately the production costs of farming have risen, dramatically in the last 20years but the end cost to the dairy farmers/ all farmers hasnt. In a way I can see where you are comin from ducati, but your argument is flawed. (meant in the nicest possible sense before any offence is caused)

[Dadie]

Is there anyway small dairy farmers can diversify into a small co-op for milk or cheese or real butter?
To make it pay?
Rather rely on big supermarkets to by the milk.....ie stick to what they know in the farming side but to expand the end product which gives a better profit.
I cant stand supermarket "plastic" cheese!

[Kevin Milkins]

I was having a chat with a friend the other day about this very subject and he said "60p for a pint of milk is far too expensive".

Having had the pleasure of milking cows for many years I have a very good insight into what has to be done to bring the white stuff to the table and I can think of few other industries that rely on shear hard work and dedication for small returns.

The analogy I used with my friend is that it probably cost a lot less to produce beer and yet he would not blink an eye at paying £2.75 for a pint.

Milk is a very nutritious product that can not be matched for good value for money even if it retailed at the same price as beer, (and there would be less fighting down the street). We ruined our coal mining industry and burn coal from all over the world so lets look after our farming industry before it's too late.

[ducati]

I'm assuming that a silicon wafer is used in computing? The cost of production of computers has also fallen dramatically in the last 20years so the end cost of computers can therefore afford to fall. Unfortunately the production costs of farming have risen, dramatically in the last 20years but the end cost to the dairy farmers/ all farmers hasnt. In a way I can see where you are comin from ducati, but your argument is flawed. (meant in the nicest possible sense before any offence is caused)

I'm always offended so don't worry about it! :lol: But the point I was answering is the public outcry bit. The thing is, consumers don't care as a rule, where, who or how, just as long as it's cheap!

[pat]

Agree with you Kevin.

I do not drink milk but when buying it am surprised at how low is the price of this very nutrious food which can be used in so many ways.

If people paid the same price as beer they would appreciate the white stuff more perhaps.

[billmoseley]

Is there anyway small dairy farmers can diversify into a small co-op for milk or cheese or real butter?
To make it pay?
Rather rely on big supermarkets to by the milk.....ie stick to what they know in the farming side but to expand the end product which gives a better profit.
I cant stand supermarket "plastic" cheese!
a lot of farmers do try this but there are so many rules and regulations make it almost impossible to start up and then you have to find an outlet for your produce. Kevin made a great point about how labour intensive dairy farming is and what goes into making your pint of milk my guess is the general public have to idea what it in tails

[oldmarine]

Yes, supply and demand. The most powerful market forces whether you like it or not.

I have to agree with ducati.

[George Brims]

Just so I can compare, what is the current price at a supermarket? At Fresh and Easy (US version of Tescos) I just paid $2.86 for a gallon, which is around 1 pound 90, or about 50p for a litre. Theirs is about as cheap as you can get it here.

[Bobinovich]

Just so I can compare, what is the current price at a supermarket? At Fresh and Easy (US version of Tescos) I just paid $2.86 for a gallon, which is around 1 pound 90, or about 50p for a litre. Theirs is about as cheap as you can get it here.

About the same George - Tesco 3.4litres for £1.74 or 51p/litre

[joxville]

I've just been to my local Tesco Express to buy milk, I paid 89p for a 2pint/1.136litre carton

[Kodiak]

I've just been to my local Tesco Express to buy milk, I paid 89p for a 2pint/1.136litre carton

If you go you Lidl you can buy 2Ltr, (3 1/5 pint), for 89p.

[smithp]

It's a peculiar irony that all farmers talk like socialists and vote entirely differently.

[brandy]

was just looking at Bens baby book and prices of things. milk cost 30p a litre and petrol was 89p a litre..that was in Aug 2004 so changed a bit since then!

[billmoseley]

It's a peculiar irony that all farmers talk like socialists and vote entirely differently.
And what makes you think this have they told what they vote. You might be surprised how they vote and what they think