The latest update to our GB milk production forecast puts expected volumes for 2019/20 at 12.58bn litres.This would be up 0.5% on 2018/19 and a 29-year high.

This update is marginally up on the June forecast, primarily due to better than expected summer performance. A combination of good weather, strong grass growth and good cow condition following a winter of concentrate feeding all gave a lift to summer production, particularly in July. April-August production was 2% up on the same period year ago.

However, production for the rest of the season is expected to be slightly down on the year before. Although silage stocks look to be plentiful and of good quality, our latest milk forecasting forum concluded that this will give less push to yields than the high levels of concentrate feeding last year.

Looking ahead to 2020/21, production for the first half of next season is expected to be steady to slightly down on the year.

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