IFA National Dairy Committee chairman Sean O’Leary has said that while there was an average 1.2% price easing at the most recent GDT (Fonterra) auction, both SMP and WMP prices remained relatively stable. This reflects continued strong demand from China, Algeria and southeast Asia, in particular.

He said a similar trend was showing in the EU, with butter prices easing, but SMP prices continuing to firm slightly and WMP stable at strong levels.

Commodity prices

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He added that all EU average commodity prices were dramatically up on a year ago, with butter up 14%, SMP 25%, WMP 30%, cheddar cheese 20% and whey powder 6% above their early February 2013 levels.“I believe markets are continuing to evolve as we have expected for the last number of weeks.

‘‘There is some easing in the price of commodities, but generally high price levels due to robust global demand. This is despite strong output increases in most regions,” O’Leary said.

“Confidence in the sustainability of current milk price levels for much of, if not all of, 2014 remains justified. I urge co-ops to declare this publicly as soon as possible to build up farmer confidence,” he said.

He added that the announcement by Carbery that they would pay a 0.5c/l top-up on all 2013 supplies was yet more proof that IFA was right in identifying some “fat in the system”, which co-ops had not passed back to farmers in real time last year.

Top-up

“The Carbery top-up, which I understand may be added to by the individual West Cork co-ops, is very welcome at a time when farmers need to reap the benefits from strong markets to make crucial investments on their farms,” O’Leary concluded.

IFA executive council

Addressing the IFA executive council meeting, which was attended by Minister for Finance Michael Noonan, IFA president Eddie Downey recognised the support of Minister Noonan, and that of Minister for Public Expenditure Brendan Howlin and the Government, in providing national funding for rural development.

President to attend Louth AGM

The Louth IFA AGM will take place this evening, Thursday 27 February, in the Fairways Hotel, Dundalk, at 8.30pm. The IFA president Eddie Downey will address the meeting as the guest speaker.

Live exports to Spain

IFA National Livestock Committee chairman Henry Burns said that there are strong opportunities for the export of Irish livestock to Spain this year. Speaking after a visit to Spain by the IFA organised by Bord Bia, Burns said that Spanish importers and representatives believe imports from Ireland will increase in 2014.

Sheep meeting

IFA director of livestock Kevin Kinsella attended the West Cork sheep meeting as guest speaker. He said IFA has launched a protocol to help farmers who encounter a dog attack on their sheep flock. The IFA protocol covers what a farmer should do after a dog attack or sheep kill. The 10-point plan is available on www.IFA.ie

Monaghan IFA AGM

The Monaghan IFA AGM will take place on Tuesday 4 March in the Four Seasons, Monaghan, at 8.30pm. Among the issues addressed will be CAP and market prices.

Movement on AEOS 3 and TAMS a must

IFA Rural Development Committee chairman Flor McCarthy has called on Minister Simon Coveney to start payments on AEOS 3 and to proceed with Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) approvals for farmers who applied in the last tranche, which closed at the end of December.

McCarthy said: “Over 6,000 farmers are due AEOS 3 payments worth €12.8m for 2013. This payment must now be made as farmers in the scheme have made investments as part of the conditions of the scheme and cannot have their payments delayed any further.”

He called for outstanding payments to be made without delay.

McCarthy said that approvals to farmers who applied for the Dairy Equipment and Sheep Handling and Fencing Schemes must be issued as farmers urgently need to proceed with their work.