Farmersare switchingto Lakelandrole

THE farmer owned dairy processing co-operative Lakeland Dairies has welcomed close to 100 new entrants to dairy farming in the run up to and since 2015 from the beef, suckler and tillage sectors, the co-operative has reported.

Eamon Duignan, Member Relations Manager at Lakeland Dairies said, “We’re delighted to see the commencement of new entrants who are successfully producing high quality milk having converted their farming enterprises to dairying.”

“Lakeland Dairies is taking a strategic and supportive approach in meeting the future milk processing needs of dairy farmers. The co-operative has access to the global food markets and customers required to ensure long term and sustainable success for milk producers.

“We have put in place the investments and capacity required to process all current and projected milk volumes. These developments have been funded from the co-op’s own resources and without any requirement for levies or sharing up by our milk producers.”

Brian McLeer switched from sucklers to dairy farming in 2015, starting with 70 heifers on his farm at Clogherhead. He now has 95 cows and will continue to grow the herd in the coming years. He is successfully supplying milk to Lakeland Dairies.

“At the outset, I contacted Lakeland Dairies and they were very helpful to deal with. Two advisors from the Lakeland Teagasc Joint Programme called out to me early in the process and, over a number of further visits, they helped me to prepare a 5 year business plan. This gave me a lot of confidence that the direction I was taking was the right one.

‘ The change has been very positive and the farm has matured into a very sustainable business. Monthly cashflow is also more easily managed in the dairying system. The change to dairying has brought about a better work-life balance with more structured time off, which is important.

“The advice I would give to farmers considering dairying is to speak to other recent new entrants, experienced existing dairy farmers, Teagasc and Lakeland advisory services. The earlier in the process that you engage with all of these services the better. Overall, I’m happy that we made the right move,’ Brian stated.

Lakeland Dairies processes 1.2 billion litres of milk a year into a wide range of dairy foodservice and food ingredient products. It operates a dedicated advisory service for farmers who are thinking of converting to milk production at 1890 474720 or by email at futuremilk@lakeland.ie THE fourth running of the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing (ITM) Irish Stallion Trail will take place on Friday January 12 and Saturday January 13 2018.

Meath-based farms Tara Stud and Boardsmill Stud, and Westmeath’s Bridge House Stud are involved.

A full list of participating stud farms and registration is available at www.itm.ie/stalliontrail