Heady days as dairy giants face new challenge

GETTING the operational formula right in the Irish dairy sector has been a constant challenge.

In the 1980s, co-ops such as Avonmore, Waterford, Kerry and finally Golden Vale all went the plc route.

The idea was to achieve better returns for farmer shareholders who retained control of the new plcs through their co-ops, while creating a platform from which to develop the Irish dairy sector internationally.