Organic dairy farmers in Great Britain are under «severe pressure» from drought conditions.
Organic dairy farmers in Great Britain are under «severe pressure» from drought, with the 2026 Organic Dairy Drought Impact report revealing concerns over forage availability, winter feed security and farm profitability, DairyReporter reports.
It follows another recent report predicting UK dairy farm profits could fall by two-thirds.
A «stark» picture
The survey, compiled by Kite Consulting and the Daykin Partnership, spoke to 37 producers representing around 40% of the 46,000-head GB organic dairy herd.
Of those surveyed, 81% rated forage availability as «significant» or «severe» — organic producers face added challenges as certification requires strict minimum forage inclusion in the diet.
«73% of respondents rated winter feed security and farm profitability outlooks as severe, with the impact on feed costs not far behind as a significant concern for 68%», said Rob Daykin, managing director of the Daykin Partnership.
Culling and a shortage of heifers
As a result, 86% of producers are considering culling cows as a mitigation measure, ahead of extended grazing (65%) and buying additional forage (62%).
«This reflects a structural response, with farms looking to reduce herd size and feed demand, rather than simply sourcing more feed to get through winter», Daykin added.
A move with immediate effects on milk volumes and potentially longer-term effects on herds.
Kite Consulting’s head of corporate, Becki Reay, warned there are not enough organic heifers to replace culled cows:
«When organic farmers lack confidence in the long-term outlook, the result is often to relinquish organic status or leave the sector».
With stable and growing retail demand for organic dairy, she said, it is crucial farmers have the confidence to invest, returned through a long-term, sustainable milk price.
Source: DairyReporter
