agri benchmark dairy started its work in 2006. As for the other agri benchmark branches, the main activities are:
Regarding the analysis of typical farms, the activities have focused on the revision of the methodological concept. Previous work has shown that the analysis of cost of production allows only limited conclusions regarding future competitiveness of dairy regions, because the cost-saving potential of structural change is not accounted for. In a comprehensive study for Germany, an extended concept with a strong involvement of regional “panels” has been developed. Further projects for the international level will be started in the near future.
Regarding the snapshot analysis, the dairy network is the leading network within the three agri benchmark branches. The project has been developed and conducted in close cooperation with the European Dairy Farmers (EDF). In 2008, almost 500 dairy farmers from 14 European countries took part in the Snapshot analysis. The farmers are questioned about their farm strategies and future plans. There is also one specific topic which is changing from year to year. In the 2008 analysis, the focus was on risk management in dairy farms. The Snapshot allows not only to analyse past developments but also to estimate future trends and to analyse attitudes of future oriented dairy farmers from all over Europe. In 2009 the Snapshot will focus on limiting factors in dairy production and the sample will be enlarged.
The analysis is supported by the EDF-STAR network (Scientific Team of Analysis and Research). In this network, dairy economists from well-known scientific and/or advisory institutions across Europe are working together (one institution per country). The work of EDF-STAR is coordinated by vTI Braunschweig.
Scientists and farmers from all over the world are welcome to participate in agri benchmark dairy and in the next Snapshot analysis.
For any further questions, please contact Birthe Lassen birthe.lassen@ti.bund.de.
Entwicklungsperspektiven der Milchproduktion in verschiedenen Regionen Niedersachsens
– ein agri benchmark dairy-Projekt
Milchproduktion im Übergang - eine Analyse von regionalen Potenzialen und Gestaltungsspielräumen
Langfassung (pdf-Document, 5,801 kb)
