Mr Oakes joined FFA chairman David Handley and Kite Consulting’s John Allen for a debate chaired by Peter Hollinshead, Dairy Farmer Editor for the Farmers Guardian.
All three speakers were given 5 minutes to state their opening remarks before Mr Hollinshead turned to the audience for questions. Labour came out as a key issue alongside the need for transparency in the supply chain. Michael Oakes called for a fair code of practise and a minimum contract law to prevent dishonest practise and enable mechanisms such as mandatory price reporting. All three speakers roundly condemned the use of contracts which offered a B price that was not market relevant.
The introduction of forward fixed pricing by some milk buyers was cautiously welcomed by all speakers. Mr Allen stressed the fact that the industry still had a lot to learn when it came to futures and suggested they may not be a long term solution. Mr Handley warned farmers to only lock in their milk price if it was the right step for their individual business and to ensure contracts are read thoroughly and advice sought before signing. Mr Oakes supported the NFU's call for more processors to offer futures options but emphasised the importance of focusing on margins over price per litre.
The debate ended with a discussion on direct support and what, if anything, would replace it. There was certainly a feeling of optimism amongst the crowd and the speakers at the 2017 Dairy Show, with many alive to the opportunities raised by Brexit but equally aware of the need to first ensure stability in terms of labour, trade and a future domestic agricultural policy that works for and recognises the needs of the British dairy industry.