British beef and dairy producers prioritise animal health as the No 1 care factor on their farms, ahead of milk and beef prices, according to a new survey.

While milk and beef prices came a close second, both sets of producers rate animal happiness as one of the most important care factors on their units, going by the report commissioned by feed supplier, KW Feeds

Based on the average response from the total number received, cow health was the most important factor for dairy farmers (18%), ahead of milk price (15%) and cow happiness at 14%. Beef producers scored similarly, with animal health at 20%, ahead of beef price and animal happiness, both at 16%.

“What this survey reveals, is that refreshingly our farmers are recognising the direct correlation between a healthy, happy herd, and a profitable herd,” says KW Feeds ruminant technical manager Georgie Croxford.

The survey which was commissioned to understand farmers attitudes to feeding and feed strategies, considering the unprecedented price increases for feed and fertiliser during 2022, also reveals environmental considerations are becoming increasingly important.

Across beef and dairy producers, 81% of farmers said the origin of feeds and carbon footprints was of importance, with 95% of those giving that rating aiming to buy British where possible.

This is despite the majority of respondents (66%) not yet required to meet sustainability requirements, or environmental goals, as part of their contract. Only 50% are currently being asked to measure carbon footprint on farm via a variety of audit requirements, mainly managed by milk processor assessments.

With 85% of dairy farmers incorporating grazing into their feeding system, and most beef farmers grazing within the lifecycle of the animal, the types of feeds used on farm was similar, with dairy farmers mainly feeding compound (78%) and blend (59%) in their rations. Beef farmers mainly fed straights (60%).

Despite spiralling input and production costs, most respondents (74%) were not planning to change their current feeds. However, of those that were, almost half (47%) said they wanted to utilise more grass and forage.

However, the long dry summer has resulted in tight forage supplies and variable quality silage as we head into winter feeding, Ms Croxford warns.

“Forage does need to be supplemented with minerals, energy and protein sources,” she says.

“British co-products, for example, such as rapeseed expeller NovaPro and Vivergo wheat distillers, can help improve protein utilisation and enable producers to make the most out of rations based on forage or grass silage.”

Ms Croxford concludes: “It has never been more important to maximise farm efficiency, and one way to do so is to make the most of forage. Investing in the right complementary feeds will have a bigger positive impact on margins, than trying to cut costs with cheaper or less feed.”