Excellent payout and future prospects giving farmers the confidence to invest in stock

This season’s market for dairy herds is particularly buoyant. Enquiry is as strong as it has been in a few years.

As farmers sit on one of the highest ever payouts, while also anticipating equivalent prosperity next year, dairy cows are heavily sought after, including herds and heifers selling on forward contracts. While in the medium term demand may exceed supply, sufficient stock should be available to meet short term buyer needs. 

Although prices are solid, buyers are not price sensitive, rather seeking as many of their selection criteria as possible. As ever, demand for good, well recorded, genuine stock is high.

Variation throughout the country is not noticeable, while the threat of M bovis has receded.

Premium genetics are on offer at several elite dairy clearing sales in April and May. For anyone looking for high-end genetics, based on the selection coming up throughout the country PGG Wrightson can match farmers with what will best suit the needs of their farm and their herd.

Mindful of the pandemic, anyone planning for Moving Day should aim to be even better prepared than usual, with maximum flexibility. We live in a changing world: what we thought was easy today, could be far more challenging come 1 June.

Jamie Cunninghame, PGG Wrightson National Dairy Livestock Manager