The cost of raw milk in Belgorod region increased by 9.5% for the year

The expert noted that as of June 16, 2021, the price of raw milk of the highest grade in Belgorod region was 28.7 rubles/kg (excluding VAT), which is 9.5% higher than the prices prevailing on the same date last year, and 5.2% lower than at the beginning of this year.

As for feed, according to Yulia Shchedrina, currently the cost of compound feed for cattle is at the level of 24.8 rubles/kg, which is 44.2% higher than the data of the 2nd quarter of last year and 23.8% higher than the price recorded at the beginning of this year.

‘At the same time, it is difficult to determine the change in the cost of feed in large agricultural enterprises operating on the principle of a full production cycle – fr om the field to the counter, wh ere most of the raw milk is produced in recent years, due to the fact that forage and feed production are included in the overall cost structure of these enterprises, and the cost of feed production is included in the full cost of production of raw milk and dairy products,’ emphasized Yulia Shchedrina.

She noted that in recent years, the enterprises of the region have practically no seasonality of milk production. Thus, 85.2% of the regional herd is kept inside at livestock facilities all year round with the use of balanced TMRs.

‘In addition, modern microclimate control systems used in the premises for cattle ensure a comfortable housing of the milking herd throughout the year. In addition, highly effective approaches to the reproduction system in the region ensure uniform year-round calving, which also eliminates fluctuations in milk production relative to the seasons of the year,’ the expert said.

According to her, in this regard, the volume of milk production, the load of processing enterprises and prices for dairy products in recent years practically do not depend on seasonality. 

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