Dairy farmers ‘outraged’ after Tipperary Co-op cuts milk price

DAIRY farmers are outraged that Tipperary Co-op cut their September milk price at a time when producers in other jurisdictions are enjoying far higher returns, according to Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) dairy committee chairman Pat McCormack.

He said the co-op’s decision was “outrageous” given that milk prices have been steadily climbing in New Zealand, Holland, Northern Ireland and other competing markets. Tipperary Co-op has serious questions to answer on how they have arrived at their decision, he said.

“We’re constantly being told that our price reflects underlying market conditions and demand for our product,” said Mr McCormack. “But how do we then arrive at a situation where dairy markets in September are stronger than they were in August, the Northern Ireland milk auction prices are also up, the IDB price has remained stable, the Fonterra auction price is up and the Dutch quotations are up, and yet milk suppliers to Tipperary Co-op have their prices cut? How does that reflect the underlying market demand? This decision is guaranteed to cause anger and confusion among the farmer suppliers.”