Many conflicting views have been expressed over the past few days from people within the industry about the value, or otherwise, of protests by dairy farmers.

It is rare that farmers in NI come out to protest, and it highlights the bleak state of the industry that people see the need to take some direct action. Even the doubters must acknowledge that the protests have raised awareness of the current plight of farmers among the general public.

The protests have also given our local politicians and farming leaders the added momentum they need to at least try to do something about it. And, no doubt, supermarkets hate the bad publicity.

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But where do the protests go next? Supermarkets might make some form of gesture on liquid milk that placates producers, but that will have a minimal effect on prices locally. Milk prices look set to fall again over the coming weeks, and it could be a number of months before the European Commission steps in and lift intervention prices. If and when it does, it won’t be at profitable levels for producers. There is no silver bullet. Unlike England, we are fully exposed to the vagaries of the world market.

If the protests continue, the wider media will soon lose interest and public sympathy for dairy farmers will wane. Be under no illusion, there isn’t even that much sympathy among farmers in other sectors for the plight of the dairy industry.

There also isn’t any Government money available to divert into farmers’ pockets. Requests for help from our political masters must be achievable and deliverable.

Farmers have little option but to cut spending in these tough times.

The industry will emerge on the other side.

In the short term, what is perhaps most desperately needed is some decent weather to help lift the mood.