85pc of farmers are overweight or obese, study finds

THE recovery in milk prices has gathered pace over the last fortnight, with futures markets for dairy commodities continuing to harden.

The future price for butter for quarter four of the year had improved to €3,450/t, with skim milk powder (SMP) on €2,230/t.

John Lancaster, head of EU dairy consulting at INTL FC-Stone, said there was still a lot of uncertainty in global markets but that the prospects for prices was looking brighter.

Demand on European markets has sharpened markedly over the last fortnight. Processors conceded that a shortage of butter and butter fats had developed on the continent, despite significant volumes being held in stores across the EU Ireland alone has more than 11,000t.

One industry source predicted that spot prices for butter could creep past €3,500/t as the summer progresses.

Mediocre

Dairy sector sources said current commodity prices were only “mediocre”, but they conceded that stronger demand and stagnant supplies had helped put a floor on the market.

Although milk supplies across the EU are up 0.8pc for January to May compared to the same period last year, output was back in France, Germany and Poland during April as a result of the drought.

The opening of the food service sector in Europe, the US and Asia, along with increased Chinese imports, continues to underpin world commodity markets.

Improved global sentiment in the business has been reflected in the latest GDT index, which was up 1.9pc.

Meanwhile, Dutch butter and skim milk powder (SMP) prices have held recent gains, with butter trading at €3,120/t, while SMP was on €2,200/t. Whole milk powder sold for €2,630/t.

The positive news has halted the Covid-induced slide in Irish milk prices, with dairy processors forced to accept that markets have settled.

Aurivo was the latest processor to hold its May milk price on 30c/l, Dairygold improved to 29.19c/l, Kerry is on 30.5c/l, while Arrabawn is on 29c/l.

Lakelands and Glanbia held their May prices. Lakelands continue off of a base of 29c/l, while Glanbia paid a base of 28c/l, plus supports totalling 0.62c/l.

OVER 85pc of male Irish farmers are overweight or obese, according to a study carried out by Teagasc and the National Centre for Men’s Health. This is substantially higher than the national average for Irish men (68pc).

The study also shows that 74pc of male farmers have at least four risk factors for cardiovascular disease, meaning they are three times more likely to have an acute cardiac event (stroke or heart attack) compared to those

Ciaran Moran and Margaret Donnelly

A ROW is brewing between farm organisations over the dispersal of recently announced €50m Beef Compensation Fund.

In proposals on how the fund should be dispersed submitted to the Department of Agriculture key disagreements are likely to emerge, including the reference dates and as to whether dairy cows or young bulls should be included.

In its proposal, ICMSA said the fund should be open to all farmers who finish cattle and payable on animals slaughtered above eight months of age.

It has proposed a reference period of the 12 months running from June 12, 2019, and has also proposed 80 cattle as the maximum number for which payment can be sought. with fewer risk factors.

The study saw 868 male farmers undergo health checks in marts and Glanbia Ireland Agribusiness branches across the south, east and midlands; 75pc of them were advised to visit their GP to get further support and advice.

The lead author of the study, Diana van Doorn, said that while the top-line figures paint a worrying picture, there are positives.

“We found that the majority of farmers reported having visited their GP in the past year, fewer farmers smoke or drink compared to the general population, and farmers, by virtue of their occupation, get a lot of physical activity,” she said.

“There are, however, areas of concern identified.”

According to the study, four in five farmers are classified as having a heart-disease ‘at risk’ waist circumference of 37 inches or more.

Eating habits

Farmers were also found to have unhealthy eating habits, with 72.1pc of participants reporting consuming salty and/or sugary snacks daily

more than double the national average of 34pc.

One in five farmers reported consuming deep-fried food three or more times a week, and almost 80pc reported not meeting the recommended daily intake of five portions of fruit and vegetables.

David Meredith, senior research officer at Teagasc, said: “We don’t know for certain why the numbers are higher for farmers.

“One theory is that increased mechanisation in farming such as the use of quad bikes, means that farmers aren’t getting the same amount of exercise they got in the past, but their diets have not changed accordingly.

“Farmers also work long hours and do not have time to take the level of exercise required to reduce their weight.

“Given the nature of the job, farmers are also more likely to snack on the go, so a major challenge is encouraging them to choose a healthy snack like a piece of fruit rather than chocolate or biscuits.”