With strong organic milk prices and continued undersupply, ForFarmers is encouraging organic dairy farmers to respond proactively to current market conditions. 

Demand for organic milk is forecast to grow by 1–2% year-on-year, and while this remains positive, the market is finely balanced. Processing capacity constraints mean that overall volumes need to be managed carefully in the short term, especially ahead of the spring milk flush.

 Against this backdrop, any increase in a herd's production must be achieved efficiently and in line with milk buyer requirements to protect margins and long-term herd performance.

 "Forage will always be the cornerstone of organic milk production, and that won't change," explains Ben Trott, Organics Product Manager at ForFarmers. "But with milk prices where they are, now is a sensible time for farmers to strengthen their position and reassess how organic concentrates and raw materials can be used to support yield and margin. 

 "Where it fits with processor requirements, there may be scope to lift output, and being in a strong position now means producers are also ready to push on further when the market allows."

 Organic systems require at least 60% of dry matter intake to come from forage, placing huge importance on forage quality, consistency and utilisation. However recent seasons of challenging and unpredictable weather have put pressure on forage stocks, with many farms struggling to achieve the consistency and feed value needed to support higher levels of production and make the most of market conditions.

 "There were periods of good grazing last year, particularly in the autumn, but many farms are still feeling the effects of difficult growing seasons," Ben explains. "It's essential to use forage effectively by supporting with the right supplementary feeding, rather than asking it to do too much and yields suffering as a consequence."

Targeted use of organic concentrates can help relieve pressure on forage supplies, while also supporting milk yield and cow performance. 

 "We're working with a range of organic dairy farms - including robotic systems - achieving yields in excess of 9,000 litres by ensuring rations are balanced optimally to make the most market conditions," continues Ben. "In organic system, up to 40% of dry matter can come from concentrates, and that portion of the diet needs to work hard."

 With stronger milk prices, now is a sensible time to review how concentrates are being used on farm to provide the energy and nutrients needed to drive performance.

 "Our scale allows us to forward buy organic raw materials and secure them at the right time and in the right place," Ben explains. "That gives farmers confidence when reassessing concentrate use and helps ensure rations are built on consistent, reliable ingredients, even in a volatile market."

 However, getting the balance right is critical. 

 Organic producers do not have access to the same range of nutritional products compared to conventional systems, such as synthetic amino acids. This makes protein efficiency, raw material choice and ration formulation even more important.

 "That's where specialist advice really adds value," Ben concludes. "At ForFarmers we can tailor organic rations to individual forage analyses, herd performance and system goals. We can help farmers use concentrates strategically and support yield and margins without undermining the forage foundations of a system."