Resources to support businesses with falling milk prices

Periods of low milk prices test even the best-run dairy businesses. When margins are tight, confidence can take a hit, and decisions feel harder. The good news is there are actions you can take now to steady the ship, as well as others that will strengthen your business for the future. We’ve pulled together practical tools, data and support to help you manage both the short-term pressure and the longer-term opportunity.

Understand where your money is going and identify ways to improve cash flow. Explore farm business reviews, cash flow planning, energy costs and options for restructuring borrowing.

Make the most of home-grown forage, review feed budgets and efficiency and consider herd and ration changes that protect margins. Resources also cover forage analysis, nutrition planning, dairy beef opportunities and market requirements.

You may not control your farmgate price, but your contract still offers opportunities to improve what you’re paid:

• Maximise contract value
  Boost returns by maximising fat and protein, hitting seasonality bonuses and avoiding penalties
• Talk to your processor early
  Sharing clear, realistic production forecasts helps processors plan for the spring flush and can reduce the risk of penalties or unexpected price movements when milk peaks
• Challenge contracts if needed
  If you think your contract may not comply with the Fair Dealing Obligations (Milk) Regulations 2024, you can contact the Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator (ASCA) for confidential guidance or to make a formal complaint

Use our calculators and data to test scenarios, track milk prices and make informed breeding decisions. Sign up for regular market updates delivered straight to your inbox.

• Building farm business resilience
• Lean management for dairy
• Getting started with a milk vending machine
• Is once a day milking for me?
• Strategic ways of reducing dairy costs and outputs
• Managing through current milk challenges

The Ag Show is published weekly and covers all types of content across the sectors. Episodes 2 and 6 cover milk prices and the impacts these are having on farm.

Attend local discussion groups to see how others are responding and access practical, financial and wellbeing support.