Smaller is best for microdairies conference
A microdairies conference has been introduced to explore the benefits of small-scale commercial dairy farms of up to 40 cows or the equivalent of sheep or goats. The aim is to examine what opportunities are currently available for establishing microdairies supplying milk, cheese, yogurt and other products and what costs and constraints are involved. It will be led by experts in the field including existing practitioners.
The second day of the conference will also look at ways of promoting the concept more widely and capturing the public’s imagination. Over the past 20 years thousands of microbreweries have sprung up around Britain .
Britain’s dairy industry has long been in a state of chronic crisis, within the last 20 years more than two thirds of its dairy farms have stopped producing. Owing to the stranglehold of milk processors and supermarkets, margins are so small that large farms enjoying economies of scale and investing millions of pounds in hyper-efficient systems are expected to survive.
There is, however an alternative for the farmer or new entrant who wants to keep a dairy heard and run a business of more modest proportions. The milk provided by an average dairy cow annually is worth between £6,000 (€8,563) and £14,000 (€19,981) when sold at retail – as opposed to barely £2,000 (€2,854) if sold to a processor.
The conference will take place at Monkton Wyld Court in Dorset, UK on 23 and 24 February 2016. If you wish to book a place, or require further information please email [email protected] or phone +44 1297 561359.
