IFA calls for 'solidarity' in liquid milk price talks
Only Iceland has agreed to a milk price increase in the face of rising feeding costs for farmers, the IFA has said as it meets retailers and creameries.
Liquid milk prices will soon be set for this winter.
ADVERTISEMENT
As winter price negotiations begin between producer groups and dairies, IFA liquid milk chair John Finn has called for significant payment increases as farmers face raised feeding costs due to fodder shortages.
Following meetings with Iceland, Aldi and Tesco and ahead of talks with other retailers, Finn said that "apart from the 2c/l gesture from Iceland, retailers had shown no solidarity with farmers". He slammed milk discouting as unsustainable in the current fodder crisis.
Citing the 75% increase in dairy cow feeding costs forecast by Teagasc this year, Finn said this would be higher for liquid suppliers who milk through the winter.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Farmers who normally pay their bills over the summer months using the cashflow from their milk cheques will have spent it all on securing fodder and feed to keep their cows healthy and the milk flowing for processors and consumers,” Finn said.
Citing assistance for farmers from co-ops, Teagasc and the Government through the fodder import and catch crop growing support schemes, he urged liquid milk processors and retailers to join in.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe to get unlimited access.
However, if you would like to share the information in this article, you may use the headline, summary and link below:
Title: IFA calls for 'solidarity' in liquid milk price talks
Only Iceland has agreed to a milk price increase in the face of rising feeding costs for farmers, the IFA has said as it meets retailers and creameries.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to the site until next Wednesday at 9pm.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact support.
As winter price negotiations begin between producer groups and dairies, IFA liquid milk chair John Finn has called for significant payment increases as farmers face raised feeding costs due to fodder shortages.
Following meetings with Iceland, Aldi and Tesco and ahead of talks with other retailers, Finn said that "apart from the 2c/l gesture from Iceland, retailers had shown no solidarity with farmers". He slammed milk discouting as unsustainable in the current fodder crisis.
Citing the 75% increase in dairy cow feeding costs forecast by Teagasc this year, Finn said this would be higher for liquid suppliers who milk through the winter.
“Farmers who normally pay their bills over the summer months using the cashflow from their milk cheques will have spent it all on securing fodder and feed to keep their cows healthy and the milk flowing for processors and consumers,” Finn said.
Citing assistance for farmers from co-ops, Teagasc and the Government through the fodder import and catch crop growing support schemes, he urged liquid milk processors and retailers to join in.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525.
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address. Please click on the link in this email to reset your password. If you can't find it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you can't find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
ENTER YOUR LOYALTY CODE:
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
SHARING OPTIONS