Dairy farm incomes have taken a hit of between €31,000 and €38,000 in the first half of 2026 compared to 2025, depending on the co-op supplied, analysis from the IFA shows.

Following June milk price announcements, the IFA dairy committee reviewed farm revenues for the first half of 2026 from 12 dairy processors for a typical spring-calving farm supplying 500,000 litres of milk per year.

Carbery co-ops had the highest milk prices, paying €4,000 more to its suppliers than its nearest competitors Dairygold and Aurivo. Private milk purchaser Strathroy sat in the middle, with just over €35,000 less paid to suppliers in the first half of 2026, followed by Tirlán, ArraTipp, Kinisla, Lakeland Dairies, with North Cork Creameries at the bottom with a loss of over €37,500.

“With half the year gone, we are seeing differences in milk revenues of approximately €10,000 between the top and the bottom of the table.

“This difference is too great to be ignored,” IFA dairy chairman Martin McElearney said.