Nick Whelan, chief executive of Dale Farm Co-op, is aiming to pay the top milk price to his co-operative suppliers in coming years.

Speaking at the Dairy Industry Conference in London on Friday, Whelan said: “Dale Farm has not performed well enough at all over the last number of years when you measure our performance on milk payment to our farmers.

"However, in 2017 we finished second in the milk league and over the last five months of 2018 I estimate we have been paying the top price.

"We are going to be a co-op that looks after its farmers, makes consistent profitable growth and makes good operating profits.”

Innovation

Whelan went on to describe how over one third of the Dale Farm products now on sale were not invented three years ago.

“We need to continue this level of innovation and do more to remain top payers.”

The challenge at farm level was also discussed and Whelan emphasised the fact that there was a £600 per cow difference between the top and bottom suppliers and this needed to be addressed urgently to maintain profitability levels for his suppliers.

Glanbia

Glanbia Cheese boss Paul Vernon was also speaking in London. He suggested the UK is leaving the EU in 10 months and nobody is any the wiser.

He said: “We are no better off than we were two years ago. We have asked for answers from the government but they are not forth coming.

"Companies will sell product of course but we need to know the trading conditions and need clarity on it now.”

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