Why 15kg Milk Solids Per Hectare Means Nothing

In this clip from the EFA podcast, the conversation challenges one of the most deeply embedded beliefs in modern dairy farming that production per hectare is the ultimate measure of success. The discussion contrasts high-input, high-production systems with lower-input models that focus on profit per hectare rather than kilograms of milk solids. While industry conversations often revolve around palm kernel use, nitrogen application, and output per hectare, the episode asks a more fundamental question: what is left at the end of the year? Breaking down the maths, the conversation compares a high-performance system generating 15kg of milk solids per hectare but returning around $2,000 per hectare profit, with lower-input and organic systems generating significantly higher net profit, in some cases $5,000–$6,000 per hectare, while requiring fewer hours and less stress.