From the editor: A challenging summer for dairy farmers

clock • 1 min read
From the editor: A challenging summer for dairy farmers

As we approach the end of another season, it always seems like a good time to look back and reflect before turning our attention to what lies ahead in the coming months.

There's no doubt the summer of 2023 has been a challenging one; the weather has been unpredictable to say the least. We've gone from one extreme to the other in terms of rainfall, making silaging and managing grazing particularly difficult.

No season is without its challenges though, and as we move towards the end of summer, thoughts will soon turn to autumn and winter jobs, and let us hope we get some decent weather to get the maize crops off.

Once again, I was excited to be involved in the #FARM24 campaign, which saw farmers from all over the country take to social media to showcase the wonderful industry we are involved in (for more on this, see pages 32-33).

As well as involvement from some high profile celebrities, MPs and farming influencers, the day also garnered incredible attention from the public, and we hope campaigns like this go some way to connecting the consumer with how food is produced on-farm. Thank you to everyone who showed their support and got involved.

And as we approach the end of summer, we say goodbye to the summer shows, but also look forward to some more industry-focused events. In particular we have UK Dairy Day and The Dairy Show on the horizon. I hope to see some of you at these events.

More on Dairy

Integrated beef supply chain gives clear targets for calf rearing on Cheshire dairy farm

Integrated beef supply chain gives clear targets for calf rearing on Cheshire dairy farm

For Jack Allwood having a clear policy for the beef-sired calves on his family's dairy farm is key

clock 30 April 2025 • 5 min read
Muller farmers forced to dump milk due to plant breakdown 'will be compensated in full'

Muller farmers forced to dump milk due to plant breakdown 'will be compensated in full'

Grant Hartman, chair of MMG dairy farmers said farmers he had spoken to were ‘frustrated' but were comforted by the fact Muller had confirmed no farmer will lose out

Rachael Brown
clock 22 April 2025 • 3 min read
Preparing for a fresh deal for dairy under Fair Dealing Obligations (Milk) Regulations

Preparing for a fresh deal for dairy under Fair Dealing Obligations (Milk) Regulations

Milk contracts are changing - and in the coming weeks all milk buyers in the UK will be legally required to make the contracts they hold with their suppliers compliant

clock 21 April 2025 • 4 min read