– Everything has worked out for the dairy farm. The figures show that dairy farmers suffer to a greater extent than the other industries, says deputy chairman of the Rogaland Farm Association, Jon Tore Refve. The record-high agricultural settlement in 2022 should actually provide a significant increase in income for Norwegian farmers. This has not happened – especially not for the dairy farmer. A dairy farm with 33 yearling cows has had its income reduced by NOK 75,000 this year. This is shown by recent figures from the Budget Committee for Agriculture (BFJ). The reason is, among other things, smaller quotas at the same time that milk prices are stagnant. – The figures show that all the negative things have hit the dairy farmer due to increased expenses. We have produced 10–15 per cent less than 2–3 years ago, says Refve. Jon Tore Refve in Rogaland farmers’ association Photo: Private Farmers’ Association leader Bjørn Gimming, writes in a press release (external link) that he is concerned about the low profitability of the dairy farmer. – We need a strong income boost and a turnaround that makes it possible to continue as a farmer. Less income than “promised” If we look at agriculture as a whole, the figures show an average increase in income of NOK 12,700 per man-year in 2023. By comparison, the agricultural agreement last year allowed for an increase in income of NOK 28,450. – What the government has promised has been put aside, says leader of the Rogaland farmers’ and small farmers’ association, Stig A. Helgesen. It is the recent figures from the budget committee that form the basis for this year’s agricultural negotiations. Helgesen believes it will take several years for the farmer to experience an income equivalent to the rest of society. – What is needed now is an agricultural settlement that provides real income growth, and which follows up on the government’s own formulations. Agriculture and Food Minister Sandra Borch writes in a press release (external link) that: – Growth is somewhat less than last year’s settlement sought to facilitate. We will go into the figures thoroughly, and use them as the basis for the negotiations on a new agricultural agreement. Wants higher milk prices Leader of the Rogaland Farmers Association, Ståle Hustoft, is a dairy farmer himself. Although the current government does not want to burden consumers with higher food prices, they should consider increasing the price of milk, he believes. Ståle Hustoft himself has converted his barn into a detached operation, but he is unsure whether everyone can afford that cost. Photo: Gisle Jørgensen / news – We have to manage to find a balance, but our most important job is in any case to increase our income. We must have a significant boost, and then we are looking at milk prices, among other things. Major investment needs Hustoft emphasizes that many full-time farmers are dependent on the milk price in order to manage to increase their income. Furthermore, there are many dairy farmers who are now facing years of major investment needs with increased debt at a time of increased interest rates. This is because 2024 is the deadline for conversion to free-standing operation. All those who operate stalls must convert to loose operation. According to the Norwegian Farmers’ Association, the requirement is that by 2024 the cows must have the opportunity to move freely and graze for 16 weeks during the summer half of the year, instead of 8 weeks, as is the case today. – We need a clear change in direction that removes doubt so that people dare to rebuild and take that investment, says Hustoft.
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Dairy farmers come off the worst – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
