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Dairy Crest announce milk price cut
Dairy cows
The cut will take the quoted UK standard litre of milk to 24.59 pence per litre.
Prices to fall by 1.2 pence per litre

Dairy Crest, the leading british dairy company, has announced that it is cutting payments to farmers by 1.2 pence per litre from 1 February, 2015.

The change will take the quoted UK standard litre of milk to 24.59 pence per litre.

The news comes just two weeks after Arla Foods announced that they will reduce milk prices by 2.03 pence per litre, with effect from 5 January, 2015.

Mike Sheldon, Dairy Crest's group procurement director, commented: “This is hugely disappointing news for all of our supplying farmers. Sadly we have not seen the improvements in dairy markets we had all been hoping for and therefore we have had to reflect this in our February milk price. I sincerely hope that we will start to see signs of recovery during 2015.

“Dairy Crest is working hard to provide a positive long-term outlook for the sector. Not only are we investing £65 million at Davidstow to produce ingredients for the growing global infant formula market, but also, in November, we announced plans to sell our dairies business to Muller Wiseman, subject to competition approval.

“It has been widely accepted that the economies of scale and efficiencies this sale presents, offer the best hope of securing the future of the British dairy sector.”

Commenting on the cuts, Rob Harrison, NFU dairy Board chairman, said: "Although wholesale markets have been giving lower returns to processors over the last few months, some input costs have also been seen to lower and it is vital that processors stand their ground with customers to ensure that reducing farm gate prices are not a result of wayward commercial negotiations.

"It is often all too easy to cut the price to farmers and at the NFU we will be once again contacting those processors further cutting the price to further understand the reasons behind this and ensure that these are transparent, truthful and protect the sustainability of the dairy sector in the short and long-term."

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.