Dairy farmers ‘must follow EU policy’

Dairy farmers who do not change their system of farming following the implementation of the new EU dairy policy will experience a substantial drop in income over the coming years, according to Teagasc.

Dermot McCarthy, chief dairy adviser with Teagasc, said a dairy farmer with 50 cows and a store cattle enterprise on 40 hectares is currently making an income of €38,000.

“According to our analysis, the worst option for this farmer is to continue with his/her present farming system. This would result in an income in 2008 of just over €30,500, a drop of 20%.