IFA welcomes retailer boost to dairy farmers

IFA President Joe Healy has welcomed retailer Iceland’s move to support Irish liquid milk farmers experiencing financial pressure as a result of the extended drought this summer.

Iceland confirmed it has instructed its milk supplier to supply an extra two cents per litre directly to farmers in Ireland.

“The weather has been against dairy farmers over the past 12 months, firstly by the extended wet period and late spring in 2018, and the more recent two-month period of drought conditions, which resulted in no grass growth in most dairy regions of Ireland,” Mr Healy said.

“This has placed extra costs of between €5,000 and €10,000 per month on the average dairy farmer. Liquid milk farming is a specialised operation which incurs extra costs of feeding, labour management and capital investment.

“While growth conditions have improved in many parts of the country in recent days, there is a massive deficit in winter forage supplies which will continue to place a huge financial strain on all 1,800 liquid milk farmers in Ireland.”

National Chairman of the IFA Liquid Milk Committee John Finn said, “With the reduced milk price in 2018, liquid milk farmers are going to run at a deficit, and the extra cost of feeding due to the weather conditions will only exacerbate the situation on farms.”

“Without substantial support from all retailers and milk processors, 2018 will push many of our liquid milk suppliers to breaking point.”