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A national grass-fed dairy standard that is INAB accredited must be embraced, according to Dairygold CEO Jim Woulfe, speaking at the Irish Grassland annual dairy conference this week.
While he suggested it was still a “work in progress” he emphasised it was very important and listed critical issues such as Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme (SDAS) approval, milk produced from cows 180 days at grass, 90% grass fed and annual verification to maintain certification as key elements.
When asked by IGA chairman and dairy farmer Laurence Sexton how can farmers benefit, Woulfe suggested the return was in efficiency of production and that grass-fed milk was more attractive than organic milk or other fashionable options. He said his customers were looking for Dairygold to certify grass-fed and were seeking accreditation.
In a wide ranging presentation, the main question posed to the Dairygold CEO was “can we sell our milk?”
Woulfe very confidently suggested ‘yes we can,’ but, there was no mention at what milk price.
Reading between the lines of what was said, there were positive milk price soundings.
Woulfe said: “COVID-19 is dealt with, Brexit is complicated and will add cost to the supply chain, but it has to be dealt with.
“On global supply and demand, I have no crystal ball, but milk supply and demand is in a relatively steady state, with the market almost in balance.”
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