The Dealer was intrigued by mixed messages coming from the Abbott organisation last week, as the company indicated to local media outlet Northern Sound News that it is seeking planning permission to expand its nutrition manufacturing facility in Cootehill.

In its statement, the company said that the expansion, if it gets the go-ahead, would allow it to meet any additional capacity requirements that may be needed into the future.

Meanwhile, intake of skimmed milk at the Cootehill plant had dropped alarmingly in the previous few days, leaving its exclusive suppliers Town of Monaghan Co-op with approximately 300,000 litres/day surplus, at a time when milk processing throughout Ireland is running at or near maximum capacity.

As reported in the Irish Farmers Journal last week, this was a sudden huge problem for the Monaghan co-op.

The Dealer is pleased to learn this week that the intake at Abbott has approximately trebled, adding 250,000 litres/day.

Offers

In fairness, there were a few offers of help from other co-ops willing to take some of the skim as they would hope to see the same relief offered to them in the event of a factory breakdown.

But Monaghan also had to ship some of the surplus overseas.

The incident showed the vulnerable position of the sector at its seasonal supply peak.