Numerous animal diseases are now having a serious impact on the production potential of the global dairy sector, according to one industry veteran with 25 years experience.
That was one of the key messages from Christophe Lafougere, who is CEO and dairy director of European consultancy, Gira Foods, at the Dairy Council for Northern Ireland’s seventh Sustainable Dairy conference.
The conference not only heard from global experts but also shone a spotlight on research being carried out in Northern Ireland and examined some of the work being done at farm and processing level to ensure the sector can “operate sustainably”.
One of the themes that Lafougere touched on at the conference was around the threat posed by animal diseases and in particular the recent outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in Germany to global milk production.
Dairy sector
However, this is only the tip of a very large iceberg, where the direct impact of animal disease on international dairy production is concerned according to Lafougere.
He highlighted the ongoing situation in the United States in relation to the mutation of the Bird Flu virus currently impacting on cattle herds.
Lafougere discussed how cases of the new condition have been identified on dairy farms in the states of California and Texas with milk output levels falling by 30%.
In financial terms he said this is working out at reductions in milk output valued at US$191 per cow.
The conference also heard how California is home to one third of the dairy herds in the US.
Gira Foods’ CEO and dairy director said that some farms in the state are now looking at seven figure production losses, caused solely by the impact of the variant Bird Flu virus.
Bluetongue
Lafougere also confirmed that Bluetongue variants are impacting significantly on both dairy cow fertility and milk output levels across Europe.
He outlined that this is particularly the case in Belgium where empty rates in dairy cows are currently running at up to 30% on some farms.
According to the industry veteran this has delivered a significant cost to both farmers and milk processers.
He said: “At farm level there is the direct impact of the loss in milk production, should disease gain a foothold within a herd.
“But disease prevention also comes at a significant cost. The likes of Bluetongue vaccines are not cheap.
“Moreover, three shots are required to deliver any form of protection to animals.”
Lafougere also warned that in France Bluetongue outbreaks are directly attributable to a 3% reduction in national milk output that has been recorded over recent months.
He told delegates at the Sustainable Dairy conference that Bluetongue must be kept out of Ireland at all costs.
