9 June 2011

2 minute read

Europe

"Whether it's input costs, herd health, benchmarking or nitrogen management, attention to detail is the key to running an efficient and profitable dairy business."

The conference, which was organised by Dairy UK and sponsored by DairyCo, attracted more than 100 delegates to Worcestor Warriors Sixways Stadium.

Dairy UK Director General, Jim Begg, explained: "The theme in all of this is the pursuit of margin. Profitability is a two sided coin consisting of income and costs. The cost side of the equation is more complex, simply because dairy farming is a complex business involving a lot inputs and variables, but we've seen today that attention to detail really can pay dividends. Dairy UK's focus is to help ensure that all segments of the supply chain achieve profitability."

Tim Bennett, DairyCo Chairman, added: "robust, good quality data enables us to start analysing the detail, but this on its own isn't the whole solution. The opportunity comes when this knowledge is combined with ability and willingness to question our technical performance positively."

Final speaker of the day, vet Dick Sibley, rounded off proceedings by emphasising the importance of collaboration. He congratulated Dairy UK and the industry on its initiative to address Johnes disease.

He said: "The diverse interests in the industry came together in a forum where I would have usually expected the only outcome to be avoiding making a decision. But not in this case. It just goes to show what can be achieved when everyone gets their heads down and all pull in the same direction."

TheCattleSite News Desk