Prices up to $1 per litre being offered for colostrum is good news for both sharemilkers and farm owners said Sharemilkers' Section Chairperson Conall Buchanan today.

However, Mr. Buchanan advises sharemilkers who are taking advantage of these high prices to thoroughly discuss the arrangements of colostrum collection and eventual payout split with their farm owner.

"Colostrum is not considered to be milk, so its harvesting and payout split are outside standard sharemilking contracts."

"Income derived from colostrum sales should be divided between the sharemilker and the farm owner according to who contributes what towards its harvest."

"For example, the provider of the colostrum vat or replacement milk for calf rearing, should have some bearing on the income they receive. Extra labour requirements and the need to adopt different management systems also needs to be reflected in the payout split. This is particularly true given that spring is a particularly busy time for sharemilkers."

"Whatever arrangement is decided, it is very important that it is put in writing and inserted into the sharemilking contract," concluded Mr Buchanan.

ENDS

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