The UK butterfat content average of 4.08% is the highest on record, according to AHDB.

For most of this season, the UK’s butterfat content has been tracking ahead of last year and the three-year average, with levels in October and November considerably higher than normal.

The boost in butterfat has been largely attributed to increased quality of silage made in summer 2019.

There is a notable increase in the proportion of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) in silage, which is helping to increase the amount of butterfat in milk.

It is expected that butterfat levels will remain elevated throughout the winter, while this season’s silage stocks remain a key component of diets.