Milk production in Germany is falling slightly, but in North Rhine-Westphalia the dairy farms have made a big sprint. In the state, which borders Twente, the Achterhoek and Limburg, the milk supply increased by 7,7% in the first half of the year.
This is reported by the Landesvereinigung der Milchwirtschaft North Rhine-Westphalia† In the first half of 2018, 10 billion liters of milk were produced in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, which accounts for approximately 1,015% of the total milk production in Germany. In the first half of 2019, the total amounted to 1,094 billion litres. A growth of almost 80 million litres, which occurred mainly in the first quarter.
Despite a decreasing number of cows, which fell from 415.000 in the first half of 2018 to 405.000 in the first half of 2019. This declining number of cows is due to the extreme drought in 2018, which prompted farmers to buy extra cows that produced little milk. slaughter. A shift from milk production based on roughage to concentrates also plays a role.
Possible measurement error
The sharply increased milk volume in North Rhine-Westphalia may also be related to a measurement error, as not all milk produced by livestock farmers in this state is processed in the same state. But this effect is minimal.
On average, the dairy farmers in North Rhine-Westphalia collected a milk price of €0,33 per liter (converted to 4% fat, 3,40% protein). This milk price is not sufficient to compensate for the increased feed costs, says Rudolf Schmidt, association president of the Landesvereinigung der Milchwirtschaft Nordrhein-Westfalen.
Drought concerns
The association is very concerned about the consequences of the drought, which has been just as extreme this year as last year. 'Normally, a crisis leads to extra company closures, if there is no successor. This situation is so serious that it can also affect companies that are fully operational and have no succession problems," said the association president.
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