There is no doubt that the 3c/l cut to August milk price that Dairygold announced sent shockwaves around those attending many functions on day one of Ploughing 2025.
There was, and is, an acceptance that butter markets have slipped.
However, to reflect recent changes in markets to this extent in August milk price seems a good bit out of step with decisions taken by other milk processors.
Big shift
The lag time on markets going up often takes three months to hit farmers’ pockets. Additionally, a 3c/l move in price is very significant and is rarely used by board members. Aidan Brennan totals up the impact for family farms.
We know processors have product sold in advance. We know they are not dependent on one product. Undoubtedly, the investments made by Dairygold are weighing heavily on the business.
Now that policy has forced farmers to reduce milk supply are we beginning to see the real impact on milk price of each processor doing their own investment in processing?
At the time of this great industry investment the common statement was – it’s all needed.
Now that policy is forcing reduced milk supplies from family dairy farms, are the chickens starting to come home to roost?
Congratulations to the NPA team on such a successful event. It really now has turned into a showcase of agri innovation and a front of house event for displaying all that is good and produced in rural Ireland.
The event, despite weather and logistical challenges went ahead without a hiccup.
The agri and food sector is a long way from a sunset industry that once dominated headlines.
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