By Lauren Petrie

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Scottish farms have found it difficult to stay in business since 2020. There seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel for the farmers that are enduring this financial suffering due to rising costs everywhere, especially in the farming business and the continuous cost of living costs in the UK. 

According to one report, the reduction in milk prices may cause some farmers to “struggle” to break even. Farmers are being paid less for each litre of milk they produce after a major buyer dropped prices in June by about 10%. According to another report, about 25% of farmers are presently “unsure” about whether they will continue to produce milk in 2025. The profitability of dairy farming is so clearing being severely impacted by rising fuel, energy and production costs, especially given the ambiguous and inadequate government policy and support. 

Dunlop Dairy

Ayrshire Dunlop cheese is traditionally made by Dunlop Dairy. The farm, which dates back to the 1700s, is well known for its award-winning cheese and conventional production techniques. 

Nevertheless, Dunlop Dairy has not been exempt from the financial difficulties brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and the rising cost of living. 

Owner of Dunlop Dairy, Ann Dorward, has disclosed that the company has “never fully gotten back” to the level of business they had prior to the pandemic hitting in 2020, saying that growing fuel and energy expenses have been hitting us hard.” 

Ann continued by stating that her job and the work of other farmers is “not easy” and requires unceasing work “every day, every weekend.” In response to the question of whether she believed that financial assistance from the government would help to lessen the burden, she stated, “Of course it would be helpful,” but added that she recognised that the government was unable to “support every business.” 

The Future of Dairy Farming

Local support is “very important” for farmers, says Councillor Ellen Freel of East Ayrshire. According to Councillor Freel, one example of strong community support is the impending Yuletide celebration organised by the nonprofit organisation Stewarton Initiatives. During the festival, local companies will occupy the town square to advertise their brands and goods to the close-knit Stewarton community. Councillor Freel said that even though Dunlop Dairy are not participating this year, other farms should be to “let people know that they exist and that they have something specialised.  

Councillor Freel acknowledged the value of community support while also pointing out that farmers “are not getting the right money for the milk that they’re producing.” Is there any way the government could deal with this in the future? The government has already established several subsidy programmes to support dairy farms but given the data indicating a decline in business due to increased prices, it is obvious that further action will be required to keep the sector moving forward. 

Lauren Petrie, UWS News