Small dairy co-op dynamism is good for all

RESULTS from the better- known diary co-ops in the northeast and northwest over the past week show the sector is in better fettle than it has been for some time.

Just yesterday, Connacht Gold announced a major boost to profits for 2007 while Lakeland last week produced a massive turn-around in its fortunes, going from an operating loss in 2006 of €7.2m to a profit of €5.5m last year.

Donegal Creameries, one of the other key co-ops in that part of the world, delivered a 66% rise in its 2007 operating performance.