‘Lessons can be learned’ from co-op’s history

A CELEBRATION in Mallow to mark the foundation of the Ballyclough Co-op 100 years ago heard that “lessons could be learned” from the society’s proud history.

The co-op’s last chief executive Denis Murphy said that specialist dairy co-operatives have proven to be the most successful business models for dairy farmers. Ballyclough was a good example of what could be achieved, he said.

In small countries with large dairy sectors dependent on exports, like New Zealand, the Netherlands and Denmark, specialist dairy co-operatives have consolidated, grown and prospered and now dominate the dairy sectors in their home countries.