Carbery share model would boost expansion

Ireland’s dairy expansion goals would be hugely boosted if more co-ops adopted the active farmer-owned shareholding model used by Carbery, according to an agri-business consultant.

Michael Brady, managing director of the Cork-based Brady Group, said that co-ops could finance expansion by setting up a new company to process milk.

Carbery Group plans to align milk volume to shareholding for its milk suppliers in the Bandon, Barryroe, Drinagh and Lisavaird co-ops. This will address issues such as securing milk processing capability for expanding milk suppliers, and accessing shareholding value.