Welcome to the Dairy Development Centre Website

“The Dairy Development Centre (DDC) is one strand of a multi-faceted resource for the agricultural industry known as Farming Connect. The purpose of the Centre is to facilitate the development of the Welsh dairy industry through the provision of a proactive technology transfer service and market intelligence. The Centre is based around a co-ordinating Development Centre and a network of Development Farms, Demonstration Farms and Discussion Groups.

Trusting this website will provide valuable information and contacts to help you develop a successful dairy business.” John Griffiths, DDC Manager

Latest News

01 February - 05 March

Intensive dairy systems produce fewer emissions

Targeted attacks on large-scale intensive dairy systems for their contribution to greenhouse gas emissions are unfounded, according to farm business consultant, Graeme Surtees speaking at the 2010 British Cattle Breeders Conference, Telford.

20 January - 22 February

Welsh consult on dairy aid payment

Dairy farming leaders in Wales have united in calling on the Welsh Assembly Government to act swiftly in allocating compensation from the EU emergency fund

18 January - 15 February

UK milk prices show signs of improvement

UK milk prices are showing signs of improvement with two milk buyers having increased their milk prices so far.

Factsheets

Collaborative Ventures

Collaborative Ventures can increase the financial returns for dairy farmers via many options.

Sward Mixtures

When buying in seed mixtures bear in mind that dust and dead seed can account for up to 20% of the contents of poorer quality products

Sward Health Check

Swards should always have a thorough health check before any programme of renewal to ensure soil conditions are right to support optimum growth

Datum Wales

Farmgate Milk Prices

Average Farmgate milk price (ppl)	Oct 09	Sept 09	diff. Sept-Oct	Oct 08	diff.08-09
UK	24.43	24.05	+0.38ppl	27.36	-2.93ppl
			+1.6%		-10.7%
GB	24.69	24.57	+0.12ppl	27.93	-3.24ppl
			+0.5%		-11.6%
NI	22.58	20.35	+2.23ppl	23.60	-1.02ppl
			+11.0%		-4.3%

Between September and October, the UK average farmgate price increased by 1.6% (0.38ppl) to 24.43ppl. This rise is mainly due to Northern Ireland prices increasing by 11% over this period. There is still, however, a 9.3% (2.11ppl) gap between the NI and GB price.

Annual comparisons show that the UK farmgate price has fallen by almost 3ppl (10.7%) from October 2008, when it stood at 27.36ppl. Over the same period, the GB farmgate price has fallen by 11.6% (3.24ppl) to 24.69ppl. As the NI was more responsive to the downturn in commodity prices, by October 2008 the price had already fallen. And because the NI farmgate price has already started to increase as a result of the recent improvement of the commodity markets, annual comparisons show a small fall of 1.02ppl (4.3%).

December and January saw a few milk buyers increasing their milk price. In December, Dairy Crest raised its ‘Trading Bonus’ by 0.05ppl on its liquid contracts as a result of the continuous strength of the cream/butter markets. In January, Saputo increased its price for the third time since last summer, by 0.75ppl. Finally, Barber also raised its price by 1ppl: it could be the sign that the improvement in the Cheddar market that many market commentators were expecting has started.

Market Information Wales

The links set out below contain information on the different sectors within the dairy industry that are considered important to dairy producers in Wales. The data is compiled in conjunction with DairyCo

Data available includes:

The DDC delivers the Dairy Development Programme on behalf of Farming Connect. Farming Connect is funded by the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013. This is financed by the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Union.

To go to the European Commission Rural Development website - Click Here (external link)