This week, with its plenary vote, the European Parliament sent a signal in support of Europe’s farmers. A majority of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voted against harmful amendments pushed by representatives of industrial interests and in favour of a progressive report that continues to pursue the goal of strengthening producers’ position in the food supply chain: a first important step towards fairer markets.

In early September, the Agriculture Committee of the European Parliament adopted a draft opinion on the proposals tabled by the European Commission to amend the Common Market Organisation (CMO). The German family farmers’ association AbL especially welcomes the proposed changes to rules that require mandatory written contracts as they would strengthen the position of farmers in negotiations for fair producer prices.

This summer, the German dairy farmers’ association BDM celebrated its 20-year anniversary with summer fests and dairy farmer evenings. Two key events took place in September: the Fair Milk Conference in Dortmund and the Agriculture Ministers Conference in Heidelberg. We are currently gearing up for our symposium, which will be held on 7-8 November in Arnstadt near Erfurt – for the first time outside of the International Green Week. Against this backdrop, setting the political agenda comes strongly into focus.

From the outside, it looks like things are calm on the dairy market. But a closer look reveals that milk standards are unravelling and leading to greater price opacity. Modules, bonuses and animal welfare levels are distorting the concept of base price. Where is the market for producers, and how can they ensure a fair share for themselves?

Denmark has introduced mandatory feed-based measures for larger dairy herds in order to curb climate emissions from cows. Turning policy into practice is a real-world test – technically speaking, in rations and routines, and politically across the sector as costs, logistics and acceptance are widely debated.

In Denmark, farmers with conventional dairy herds of more than 50 cows must either feed lactating cows a set amount of fatty acids per kilogram of dry matter all year round – excluding grazed summer grass – or administer Bovaer® for 80 days. The latter option requires keeping cows indoors during that period to ensure constant access to the feed. Bovaer® also must be given to dry cows in both far-off and close-up rations. Farmers can also opt to feed Bovaer® all year round if cows are not grazing in summer, though year-round use is not mandatory.

Recent research and farmer feedback from the first half of the year show that most herds have adapted well, with little impact on feed intake or milk yield. Some farms have faced challenges, generally linked to inconsistent dosing of Bovaer® in the ration mix. Comparative studies found no difference in yield, reproduction, or mortality compared to last year, though milk urea levels were elevated in treated herds. Researchers caution that herds using partly mixed rations (PMR) and robot-fed concentrates may see uneven Bovaer® dosing due to variable concentrate intake. Overall, the rollout has been smooth, but with about 75% of herds expected to start feeding Bovaer® from October onward, the coming months will reveal if these trends are robust. 

Politically speaking, an overwhelming majority in the Danish parliament mandated the use of Bovaer® for 80 days per year, compensated at roughly 13.5 euros per cow and per annum for two years, after which subsidies will end. Beyond the compensated period, farmers are encouraged (and later required) to increase the use of Bovaer® around the year, with voluntary increases compensated initially but eventually expected to be funded through the EU’s CAP starting in 2028. Non-compliance after the voluntary opt-in period will result in mandatory use without compensation. Currently, about 25% of dairy farmers use Bovaer®, with no widespread disadvantages reported. However, some farmers oppose chemically produced feed additives and have tried to organise boycotts and demonstrations. Alternatively, farmers may meet requirements by feeding 48 grams of fatty acids per kilogram of dry matter all year round, while grazing is permitted and fatty acids are applied only to barn feed.

From 2030, a tax will be imposed on methane emissions from cows. Bovaer® can significantly reduce this tax burden, but it remains uncertain whether farmers will have to bear the cost of the additive or if it will be subsidised under CAP.

Landsforeningen af Danske Maelkeproducenter (LDM)