The latest April figures for Kingshay herds highlight the rise in milk from forage figures compared to the same time last year. Many farmers focused on utilising homegrown forage when milk prices dropped, this also led to a reduced use in purchased feeds. Milk from forage averaged 11.1 litres/cow/day, a huge 19% increase compared with April 2025.
April 2026 milk yields have also risen by 2% to 29.4 litres/cow/day compared with the same month last year, further boosting output and contributing to the plentiful supply in the milk market. The average milk price for April 2026 fell to 33.75ppl, which is 24% lower than in April 2025, highlighting the challenges that many are facing.
Concentrate prices averaged £295/tonne for April 2026, 4% lower than the same month last year and the lowest feed prices have been for four years.
The average margin over purchased feed for the month was £190 per cow, a sharp decrease of 27% compared to the same month last year.
Rolling trends for the year ending April 2026 include -
- Concentrate use per cow was up 2.9% compared to last year at 3010kg/cow.
- Margin over purchased feed per litre was down 6.7% on last year to 29.78ppl.
- Bulk cell counts decreased to 152 (‘000).
- Yields averaged 8,925 litres per cow, increasing by 4.3% compared to the 12 months ending April 2025.
- Milk from forage was up 9.1% compared to the preceding 12 months to 2,675 litres per cow, providing 30% of total yield.
- Purchased feed costs were 11.24ppl, a decrease of 2.3% compared to last year, with concentrate prices of £298/tonne compared to £307/tonne in the previous year.
- Milk price was similar at 41.02ppl compared to the same month last year.
Click here for the full results.
More in-depth analysis of herds using Kingshay’s costings service can be found in Kingshay’s Dairy Costings Focus Report or call 01458 851555 for more details.
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If you are interested in analysing and comparing your herd’s figures with other similar herds, give us a call on 01458 851555. More details of this simple and easy-to-use service can be found here.