Farmers seek milk protein spot checks
The IFA wants the Department to introduce the system on the same basis as existing butterfat test checks to improve the confidence of farmers and ensure they are paid the price justified by their milk constituents.
Spot checks of butterfat testing by Department of Agriculture inspectors was introduced by legislation in the 1930s. Butterfat was then the only milk solid on the basis of which farmers were paid, and the spot checks were to ensure that farmers received fair value for their milk.
Michael Murphy, the IFA national dairy committee chairman, said over 70 years later, things have moved on significantly. The value of protein is up to twice that of butterfat in every litre of milk. Yet, there are still no equivalent spot checks on protein testing methods to ensure that farmers are paid for the right amount of milk solids.
Mr Murphy said dairy farmers are very dissatisfied with this situation. The value of protein is the biggest part of the milk price.
With current price pressure, any possible understating of the protein contents can have a huge effect on the monthly milk cheque.
Mr Murphy said that he had been disappointed by the response he had received when previously he had raised this issue with the Department of Agriculture.
