Dairygold

When Mitchelstown and Ballyclough merged in 1990, Dairygold was born – becoming Ireland’s largest farmer-owned co-operative. Dairygold processes over 940 million litres of milk annually. Some 40 to 45% of Dairygold’s milk input is processed into cheese and whey, and the company is a major exporter of cheese to the UK market. Dairygold employs over 1,100 people. Over the last number of years Dairygold has been in a growth and investment phase with new investments planned or in process in Mallow, Michelstown and Mogeely.

In order to help insulate its producers against the shocks of global milk price volatility Dairygold launched its second fixed milk scheme earlier this year which has a lifespan of 30 months, running from 1 March 2017 to 30 November 2019 inclusive. Dairygold Co-Op Superstores is the retail division of Dairygold Co-Operative Society Ltd. They run a network of stores, stretching across counties Cork, Limerick, Tipperary and Clare and specialise in a broad range of products for all sectors including farming (farm clothing, animal nutrition products and milking parlour equipment etc) DIY, garden, as well as building and electrical equipment.

Ornua

Ornua is the marketing body for Irish dairy product internationally. It is responsible for driving the Kerrygold brand of dairy products globally. As a company, it is structured into two distinct divisions; foods and ingredients.

Ornua Foods is responsible for the international marketing and sales of Ornua’s consumer products portfolio which includes the Kerrygold, Pilgrims Choice, Dubliner, Forto, Shannongold and BEO milk powder brands. Markets are served through wholly owned subsidiaries and in-market teams in China, Germany, the Middle East, the UK and the US.

Ornua Ingredients is responsible for the procurement of Irish dairy products and for the sale of dairy ingredients to end users. Operating out of Ireland, the division exports dairy ingredients to over 110 countries and is supported by key subsidiaries in Spain, Saudi Arabia, the UK and the US.

Recently Ornua have invested in butter processing in Michelstown, Co Cork and a number of other investments around the world. Communications manager with Ornua Jeanne Kelly said: “Since Kevin Lane was appointed chief executive of Ornua in January 2010 there have a been a number of mergers and acquistions aimed at positioning Ornua and the Kerrygold brand as the preferred partner and product of many other global dairy companies”.

Bank of Ireland

Bank of Ireland is one of Irelands most prominent lenders to Irish dairy farmers and always work to ensure their customers have access to funds to either enter dairy farming or to grow and expand their current business. As a financial institution they recognise the unique opportunity and the important considerations that milk quota abolition presents and that many farmers who are looking to expand or change their farm businesses, need flexibility and patience from their banks in order to carry out this expansion.