DairyCo

DairyCo BIDS project saves industry estimated £1.2m

Published 12 January 09

DairyCo BIDS project saves industry estimated £1.2m

DairyCo's Business Improvement in the Dairy Sector (BIDS) project progress report has highlighted impressive results for the company, and for participating farmers.

The BIDS project aimed to develop 30 DairyCo Business Groups which would meet 3-4 times per year to help farmers to improve their businesses through meetings facilitated by DairyCo Extension Officers (EOs), group and individual business improvement plans and benchmarking.

By the end of the project 35 groups had been established who on average meet 4 times per year.  In addition, many farmers are taking advantage of DairyCo's data collection service, Milkbench+ and engaging in full benchmarking activities.

Farmers who attended the DairyCo Business Groups have saved money or improved their businesses in many ways after following technical advice provided by DairyCo EOs, speakers and other farmers' best practice; from changing electricity contracts, altering housing and bedding regimes, changing breeding strategies, to forming a team approach to management with their vet, nutritionist and agronomist.

Altogether there have been around 1500 farmer attendances at group meetings with an estimated efficiency or business improvement saving of around £800 per farmer per meeting.  This gives an estimated potential industry saving of £1.2 million.

Routinely collected feedback from farmers who attend the groups showed that 98% felt the meetings were a good use of their time and 95% had done something different as a result of attending.  Some farmers who attended group meetings reported a significant reduction in calf mortality and one farmer said milk yield had increased from 2,100 to 2,600 litres a day, adding an extra £31,000 to his bottom line.

The project also aimed to work in partnership with Co-ops to improve supply chain communication and understanding.  Thanks to DairyCo EOs working closely with co-op field staff, dairy farmers are now witnessing more 'joined up' activities between DairyCo and co-ops.  Co-ops and their field staff are also reporting a better working relationship with their farmer producers and therefore a better understanding of issues in milk production affecting both the co-op and the farmer is emerging.

The DairyCo Business Group initiative has been recognised for its work with dairy farmers and was presented with the award for Partnership & Collaboration at the South West National Training Awards 2008 with judges commenting: "This is a well delivered facilitation training programme with good follow through and review processes established."

Ends

12 January 2009

For further information:
N:    Suze Attaway
T:    01285 646510
E:    suze.attaway@dairyco.org.uk

Notes for Editors:

DairyCo's current focus is on improving the profitability of dairy farming by focusing on four specific areas:
•    The provision of a world-class information service
•    Helping dairy farmers increase their profits while meeting regulatory and environmental requirements - through better business management.
•    Helping promote the positive perception of dairy products and dairy farming with the general public
•    The development of DairyCo towards a self-sustaining model.

DairyCo is funded entirely by milk producers, via a statutory levy on all milk sold off-farm, at the rate of 0.06p per litre.  This provides an annual income of around £7m.

DairyCo co-funds the industry's nutritional and issues management resource - The Dairy Council - with the processors' trade body Dairy UK.

DairyCo Limited was set up in April 2008 following a fundamental review of agricultural levy boards by Defra. The five existing levy boards (including the Milk Development Council) were replaced by one statutory levy board, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).

Reporting in to AHDB are six sector companies - DairyCo covers the milk sector.