Heatwave in Europe reduces milk production

The ongoing heatwave across Europe has begun to put pressure on the dairy sector. European milk processors are already reporting the first signs of lower raw milk supplies, according to Foodagribusiness.world.

Although the decline remains limited in some regions, milk quality indicators, including fat and protein content, have already started to fall, signaling a likely reduction in milk production in the coming weeks.

Dutch dairy processor Vreugdenhil Dairy Foods says milk collection volumes remain stable for now, although reported figures lag actual conditions by several days because of the three-day milk collection cycle on farms.

According to the company, production has been supported by farmers who have quickly improved barn ventilation and adjusted cattle diets with additional feed to reduce heat stress.

Another major dairy company, FrieslandCampina, is already reporting a steeper-than-normal seasonal decline in milk production, although it has not yet disclosed specific figures.

“The investments farmers have made in recent years, including high-capacity fans, cooling systems, and improved barn insulation, have proven effective,” the company said.

Farmers are also changing grazing practices. To reduce heat stress, cows are increasingly being moved to pasture during the night while remaining indoors during the hottest hours of the day. FrieslandCampina officially supports this approach and advises farmers to avoid daytime grazing during periods of extreme heat.

While Dutch farmers are mitigating losses with technology, the impact has been much more severe in other EU countries. In Belgium, some dairy farmers have reported milk production declines of 25% or more. Damien Van Rompuy, who operates a 120-cow dairy farm in Genappe, Wallonia, produced around 3,500 liters of milk per day before the heatwave began.

Dairy farmers in France and Germany are also experiencing significant losses. German farmer Josef Preuß from Kranenburg says milk production has declined despite using fans and cooling systems in his barns. In addition, cows are no longer voluntarily approaching the milking robot, forcing him to bring them in manually. Average milk yield has fallen from 37 liters to 33–34 liters per cow per day.

The decline in raw milk supplies across Europe during the peak summer season could increase pressure on farmgate milk prices and eventually lead to higher prices for dairy products across the EU.

Tags: EU, Milk, Dairy