Macra na Feirme national president Seán Finan questioned the current milk pricing model at the recent Dairy Forum. He said: “The pricing model should be based on a monthly or quarterly forward-pricing system, which would enable farmers to budget more accurately. Such systems are commonplace across other dairy-producing countries and facilitate farmers to manage price volatility.”

Finan also encouraged the Dairy Forum to focus on the structural and strategic issues affecting the industry, saying: ‘‘It is imperative that, together, we position the industry to better cope with any future shocks or downturns in the marketplace.”

Speaking prior to the Dairy Forum, young dairy farmer Kieran McDermott, a member of the Macra na Feirme agricultural affairs committee, said: “A major issue is the payment of milk top-ups based on litres only instead of on kilos of the milk solids supplied. This has a significant impact on farmers, especially at this time of the year when milk solids are high.

‘‘Efficient farmers could benefit more from a payment system on kilos of milk solids, especially in a year where every cent counts on dairy farms.”

Ornua’s presentation on the global market outlook for 2017 predicted an estimate of 30c/l to 33c/l.

“We need to gain clarity as to the European plan regarding the release of skim milk power (SMP) held in intervention. Any release of SMP on to the market must be effectively managed so as not to disrupt the improving market price,” advised Finan.

Macra na Feirme was represented by national president Seán Finan, chief executive Denis Duggan and agricultural policy manager Derrie Dillon at the forum.