MG&A Agricultural research – To what extent do you feel the Conservative party is good for dairy farming in UK?
Results:
Overall, a third (30%) of farmers agreed that it was positive for UK dairy farming that the Conservatives are in government. Half (50%) were neutral.
By region: Farmers in SW were more positive about the Conservative Government than in NW, where views were more polarised
By herd size: Those in smaller herds tended to be a little more positive about the Conservative government
Background: MG&A carried out a telephone survey among 50 dairy farmers in Q4 2015.
All respondents
-Were the person with the overall responsibility for the dairy herd
-Were aged 30y – 59y
-25 were based in SW and 25 were based in NW
-26 had herds of 100 – 199 dairy cows and 24 had herds of 200+ dairy cows
By region:
-SW, 22 had herds of 100 – 199 and 28 had herds of 200+
-NW, 30 had herds of 100 – 199 and 20 had herds of 200+
The questions posed were as below:
1. On 1st April, milk quotas were scrapped. To what extent do you think this will be positive, negative or neutral in terms of YOUR OWN future in dairying in UK
2. And for the UK dairy industry as a whole
3. For many, milk price is very challenging at the moment. What, if any areas, have you had to cut costs as a result?
4. And which of these areas has seen the largest cuts?
5. What aspect of dairy farming worries you most?
6. The Conservative party was re-elected this year. To what extent do you feel the CONSERVATIVE PARTY BEING IN GOVERNMENT is a positive, negative or neutral for DAIRY FARMING in UK?
7. Which political party do you feel would be MOST SUPPORTIVE FOR UK DAIRY INDUSTRY?
8. If you were the minister in charge of DAIRYING in UK, what is the one policy that you would implement that you feel would benefit UK dairying the most in the next 5 – 10 years?
9. If there were a referendum on whether or not to say in EU, do you think that UK DAIRYING would be better off remaining in Eu or leaving EU?
10. Which, if any, of these PRESCRIPTION ONLY MEDICINES I.E. MEDICINES FOR WHICH YOU NEED A WRITTEN PRESCRIPTION FROM THE VET have you or someone on your behalf, bought online in the last 12 months for the dairy enterprise.
11. Which of the following diseases do you feel would have the greatest impact on the PROFITABILITY of a dairy herd if they were to get it? READ OUT And second most FORCE ANSWER – What about 3rd?
12. If an animal health manufacturer were to sponsor dairy-related training, what topic would be of most use to you?
13. Which of the following social media tools do you use? CODE ALL THAT APPLY
14. In general, which profession do you feel is most trustworthy: doctors, dentists, solicitors, business bank manager or vets?
15. What one word sums up your DAIRY vet?
16. What word sums up dairy farming?
17.Do you expect to be in dairying in UK in 2020 i.e.five years time?
18. All things considered, if you had your time again, would you choose to be a dairy farmer?
For a complimentary report or for further information about this question or other questions in the survey – please contact MG&A.