Milk forecasting forum

Updated 21 March 2024

Milk production is a fundamental driver of market dynamics in Great Britain. We hold a milk forecasting forum twice a year, where representatives from across the industry debate, analyse and discuss the key factors influencing production. Here you can find the latest information shared with the group.

The AHDB Milk Forecasting Forum (MFF) met on the 19 March to discuss the factors impacting on future GB milk production. The main points of conversation were focussed around:

• Recent trends in herd size and milk yields. In particular, the discussions focussed on how farmers may adjust their herds and management strategies as margins are eroded by lower milk prices, high input costs and the continued labour shortages. Milk yields are very much weather dependant.
• What will be the impact of decline in youngstock numbers on long-term rate of decline in milking herd.
• How to realise genetic gains made in herd management.
• How recent recovery in milk prices could impact production during the flush.
• Organic milk production unlikely to get any boost going forward
• How the current wet weather is going to affect ability to turnout, fertilise and ground work, grass quality, silage quality and availability this season.
• The potential longer-term impact of environmental legislationon herd size and structure and inflation on input costs.

We've released a pack of the information discussed at the forum, which you can download from the Milk Forecasting Forum webpage.

Updated 28 March 2024

GB milk production for the 2024/25 season is forecast to reach 12.25bn litres, 0.6% less than the previous milk year, according to our March forecast update. 

Please read the forecast update article.   

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