Summary of the Conference Call on the Dairy Industry Industry Overview - The dairy sector is experiencing a rebound due to a decrease in feed costs, with companies like YouRan, New South Wood, and Gongji Dairy reporting a 10% year-on-year decline in sales costs, which has helped offset the impact of falling prices per ton. The gross profit margin for raw milk has increased by nearly 2 percentage points [1][4]. Key Points and Arguments - YouRan Dairy Performance: In the first half of 2025, YouRan's raw milk revenue grew approximately 8% to 8 billion yuan, driven by increased sales volume and the launch of three new farms. Sales costs decreased by 10%, and feed costs fell by 12%, leading to a gross margin increase of 2.4 percentage points. The reduction of heifer stock and an increase in the proportion of breeding cows also contributed to profit growth [1][5]. - Modern Dairy Performance: Modern Dairy has reduced its stock by about 20,000 heads to 18,700 heads by eliminating inefficient cows. Raw milk revenue remained stable at around 5 billion yuan, but the average selling price fell by 10% year-on-year. The solutions business revenue dropped by 23%. Despite a 23% increase in operating cash flow, net profit attributable to shareholders decreased due to biological asset losses [1][6][7]. - Milk Price Trends: In early September, milk prices slightly rebounded, ending a downward trend since April, indicating that demand is not as weak as expected. If milk prices stabilize in the fourth quarter, demand may stabilize next year. However, a significant reduction in breeding cow stock is anticipated due to mass culling, which may lead to a supply gap [1][8][10]. - Supply and Demand Dynamics: The dairy sector's stock structure has improved, with the proportion of breeding cows increasing by 2.3 percentage points to 53%. Major dairy companies have accelerated stock reduction, with Modern Dairy's heifer stock decreasing by over 20,000 heads [2][9]. - Impact of Feed Prices: The price of silage is expected to remain stable or slightly increase, which will affect overall milk prices. Unlike last year, silage prices have not further declined, which may impact the profitability of dairy farmers [12]. - Meat Cycle Influence: The meat cycle plays a crucial role, with companies like YouRan and Modern Dairy culling about 30% of their breeding cows annually. The income from culling has nearly doubled in the first half of 2025. The domestic beef supply gap is expected to continue until 2027 due to various market pressures [13]. - International Market and Policy Changes: The international market is seeing a decline in production from major exporters like Brazil and New Zealand due to drought and rising costs. Domestic policies are also tightening import regulations, which will increase transportation costs and affect the supply chain [14]. - Profitability Outlook: The reversal in milk prices and reduction in unit costs are expected to significantly enhance the profitability of dairy companies. If raw milk prices rebound and unit costs remain stable, leading companies could see gross margins improve by up to 10 percentage points [15]. Additional Important Insights - Future Trends in Dairy Industry: The current rebound in milk prices suggests better-than-expected demand. The supply side is also expected to perform well, with significant culling and replenishment of breeding cows. Valuation metrics indicate strong potential for profitability and growth in the dairy sector, with historical price-to-book ratios suggesting room for upward movement [16].
牧业：肉奶共振，弹性可期