Dale Farm chief executive Nick Whelan has said that the priority for the farmer-owned co-op is to pay the best possible milk price to its suppliers based on what the market is delivering.

Speaking at a breakfast event before the 2016 RUAS Winter Fair in Lisburn on Thursday, Whelan said that Dale Farm recognised the difficulties that dairy farms have been through over the last two years.

He told NIIAS members that the dairy processor would not pay more than the market delivers in order for the business to remain profitable for its members into the future.

Last month, Dale Farm announced a 2.5p/l increase in base price for October milk, along with an additional 2p/l winter bonus. Its October base for a producer receiving the 0.3p/l loyalty bonus was 24.8p/l and, with adjustments for milk quality, it paid out an average price of 26.17p/l.

This is the second year that the one-day event has been held in the Eikon Exhibition Centre at Balmoral Park. There are approximately 200 trade stands present at the 31st RUAS Winter Fair this year.

There are also 200 dairy cattle on show. Judging across Holstein, Ayrshire, Dairy Shorthorn and Jersey classes will be by Paul Trapp from Wisconsin in the US.

Further reports from the NIIAS event and the 2016 RUAS Winter Fair will feature in next week’s Irish Farmers Journal and on www.farmersjournal.ie

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